on the dot
on the dot
At the exact time specified. True to his word, the detective arrived at 1:38 PM on the dot. If we don't leave the house at 6 o'clock on the dot, we'll miss our flight.
See also: dot, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*on the dot
Fig. at exactly the right time. (*Typically: be somewhere ~; arrive (somewhere) ~; get somewhere ~; see someone ~; show up ~.) I'll be there at noon on the dot. I expect to see you here at eight o'clock on the dot.
See also: dot, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
on the dot
Exactly on time, as in We had to be there at eight on the dot. The dot in this idiom is the mark appearing on the face of a watch or clock indicating the time in question. It may come from the earlier to a dot, meaning "exactly" since the early 1700s but no longer heard today. [c. 1900] Also see on the button.
See also: dot, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
on the dot
If you do something on the dot, you do it at exactly the time that has been mentioned or arranged. At nine o'clock on the dot, they have breakfast. I sat on the front steps to wait for her, figuring that if she was anything like her father, she'd arrive on the dot of ten. Note: The minutes on a clock face are often marked by dots.
See also: dot, on
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
on the dot
exactly on time. informalThe dot referred to is that appearing on a clock face to mark the hour.
1998 Oldie The Conditions of Sale state that the buyer has to pay the auctioneer on the dot.
See also: dot, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
on the ˈdot
(informal) at exactly the right time or at the exact time mentioned: He always finishes work at 4.30 on the dot. She arrived on the dot of 6.00.See also: dot, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
on the dot
Exactly on time. The dot in question is the minute indication on the face of a clock or watch. The term has been around since about 1900. Rex Stout used it often to describe his compulsively punctual detective, Nero Wolfe, as in Champagne for One (1958): “At six, on the dot as always, Wolfe entered.”
See also: dot, on
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- at the dot
- dot
- crosse
- the year dot
- year dot
- since the year dot
- from the year dot
- from, since, etc. the year dot
- Dot or feather?
- be off (one's) dot