at first blush

Related to at first blush: at least, by way of, couldn't, let up, knows no bounds

at first blush

Upon first seeing or considering something. At first blush, I thought the house was great, but the inspector's list of problems changed my opinion. The contract did seem favorable at first blush, but it eventually cost me a lot of money.
See also: blush, first
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at first blush

Also, at first glance or sight . When first seen. For example, At first blush we thought it was an elegant restaurant, but it soon became obvious that it was hardly the place for a special dinner , or At first glance the contract looked just fine. All three phrases date from the 1300s. The noun blush is used with the obsolete meaning "glimpse" or "momentary view" and in this idiom has nothing to do with showing embarrassment. Also see love at first sight.
See also: blush, first
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

first blush, at

Without prior knowledge; at first glance. The earliest use of this expression dates from the sixteenth century, when blush meant not a reddening of the cheeks with embarrassment but “glimpse.” Thus, “Able at the first blushe to discearne truth from falsehood,” wrote Philip Stubbes (The Anatomie of Abuses, 2:7) in 1583.
See also: first
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • blush
  • first blush, at
  • at first glance
  • at first glance/sight
  • be first out of the box
  • first in, best dressed
  • first refusal
  • refusal
  • give (someone) the first crack at (something)
  • have (the) first crack at (something)
References in periodicals archive
At first blush, CNOOC's billion bid for Nexen seemed like a sign that China is ready to go on a buying spree in Canada's oil patch.
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"At first blush, Exhibition Place might be a little bit more compelling, simply because it's got a lot of infrastructure for meetings, conventions and entertainment that already exist there," said Alan Feldman, a vice president with MGM.
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At first blush, the exponents of Islamic finance certainly have a bullet-proof argument-that the reckless risk-taking and bad decisions that tipped global banking into meltdown could not happen under the wise leadership of the Shariah sector.
A new order
Though at first blush it may seem rather comical, this put Simpson in a dangerous situation: She is disabled and dependent on an electric wheelchair for mobility, and without her ramp was literally trapped in her home.
A blessing in disguise
Those who have admired Buffet's support for the estate tax and opposition to the unfairness of the payroll tax, both of which are against his own self-interest, are puzzled by his unqualified defense of Goldman and Moody's, which at first blush seems to be motivated by a desire to protect his own pocketbook.
A hero at risk
One could quarrel with the sometimes-antiquated colloquialisms here, which at first blush appear to be more a product of the translation than Kertesz's pen, but that really would be quibbling.
Imre Kertesz. Detective Story
"At first blush this looks like a classic case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing," says Sen.
Program needs to tighten ship
At first blush, it might seem odd to look for guidance on the subject of cost shifting for nonparties (and especially cost shifting of attorney time) in Zubulake.
The cost of discovery: insurers must know the new litigation rules concerning electronically stored information or pay the price
At first blush, the rules concerning fringe benefits seem straightforward.
New IRS focus on fringe benefits
Newsbusters commented: "At first blush, one can easily ignore such business decisions by the most powerful company on the Internet as being routine.
Google Dumps News Sites that Criticize Radical Islam
At first blush, use of rTPA seemed to increase significantly over time, by about 20% per year.
Estimates of rTPA use might be artificially low
At first blush, it seems hard to explain Lott's performance.
The Silence of the Cats: Trent Lott still refuses to speak frankly about racism
At first blush, Nedko Solakov seemed to be letting down his guard.
Nedko Solakov: Kunsthaus Zurich
At first blush, it appeared like a brilliant new solution to the injustices of the human condition, a clever scheme for reordering of the world, one that might even eliminate the need for Christianity.
Quo vadis Hollywood?