dawn on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Suddenly become understood by someone

Realisation

Why “on”? An idea reaches the mind and becomes clear.

“It dawned on me that he had lied.”
I suddenly understood that he had lied.
“Has it dawned on you that we might be wrong?”
Have you suddenly understood that we might be wrong?

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“It dawned on me that he had lied.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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catch on

Same on pattern: realisation

Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something

hit on

Same on pattern: realisation

Suddenly think of a clever idea or solution

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