What is the origin of the idiom "in a spot" and when to use it?

The idiom "in a spot" originates from the idea of finding oneself in a difficult, challenging, or precarious situation, as if one is in a certain location or "spot" from which it's not easy to extricate oneself. It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is facing a problem, often unexpectedly, and is uncertain about how to resolve it.