1
general::
Phrase(s): recoil at the sight (of someone or something) [and] recoil at the thought (of someone or something)
Fig. to flinch or cringe at the sight or thought of someone or something. • Sally recoiled at the sight of Gerry, who had said something unspeakable. • Mary recoiled at the very thought.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs