dead-on

American  

[ded-on, -awn] / ˈdɛdˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

adjective

Informal.

1. exactly right, accurate, or pertinent.

   The film director has a dead-on feel for characterization.

---

Etymology

Origin of dead-on

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Willie Nelson — who sang duets with Duvall at the party — told Village Voice columnist Arthur Bell that “Tender Mercies” was dead-on accurate.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs. Pritchard, dead-on perfect to the flowers blooming on her dress, was hanging laundry.

From Literature

Major Tooth stops pacing and does a dead-on impression of Winston Churchill’s bulldog growl: “We shall never surrender!”

From Literature

Their target was five stories over their heads and hidden from view, but they had to hit the pools dead-on.

From Literature

Perhaps that goes some way to explain her mass appeal later in life, expanded in no small way by “Downton” creator Julian Fellowes’ dead-on writing for the show.

From Salon

Related Words

• accurate
• precise