Phrasal Verbs

dawn on

This page is about the phrasal verb dawn on

Meaning

If something dawns on you, you realize it, or become aware of it, for the first time.

For example

  • dawn on sb At first I didn't realise who he was, but then it dawned on me. I was talking to Gerry's husband!

  • dawn on sb that It still hadn't dawned on Jimmy that the guy living next door was a drug dealer. He just thought the guy had lots of friends.

Quick Quiz

Kelly was angry and upset after it dawned on her that

a. her boyfriend was cheating on her

b. the sun was coming up

c. her family loved her
a) her boyfriend was cheating on her b) the sun was coming up c) her family loved her

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey