"On" a panic selling

Hong Kong stocks plunged nearly 13% today on a panic selling = meaning out of fear that it would plunge further.

They look fine to me!

Hi Goodman,

I copied both sentences from a newspaper as I've seen a lot using this "on" pattern.

1. Hong Kong stocks plunged nearly 13% today on a panic selling. (Does it mean "as soon as" or "amid"?)

2. Global stocks took a beating as investor confidence plunged on the rejection of the U.S. bailout package. (Does it mean "as soon as")

Thank yo

It means "as a result of."

Hong Kong stocks plunged nearly 13% today as a result of panic selling.

Global stocks took a beating as investor confidence plunged as a result of the rejection of the U.S. bailout package.

Hi RayH,

Thank you for your help.

Could I know if "on" acting as "as a result of" a common usage? I did not find the meaning "as a result of" in the dictionary? Does "at the time of" alright in the context? Thanks.

Regards,

TN

I would say that the closest dictionary definition is this one at Answers.com.

prep.

5. Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action: cut his foot on the broken glass; talked on the telephone.

The dictionary definition is more general than mine, since mine is tailore

Hi RayH,

Could I know if these sentences with "on" are very common or it's regional usage?

1. Hong Kong stocks plunged nearly 13% today on a panic selling.

2. Global stocks took a beating as investor confidence plunged on the rejection of the U.S. bailout package.

Thank you.

Regards,

TN