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Synonyms

on the button

Idioms  

  1. Exactly right, precisely, as in Her review of the book was right on the button, or We're supposed to be there at six o'clock on the button. This term may come from boxing, where a punch on the button means “a punch on the chin.” [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see on the dot.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In response, Ap Iorwerth told the first minister to "keep her fingers on the button and keep up with what's going on".

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

A single source of male DNA was later discovered on the button snap of the sheath, which police said they linked to Kohberger.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2023

“It’s not like you just turn on the button, and you have vaccine ready, right? It takes time to get it done,” Kumar says.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 6, 2023

S2’s scores even account for whether a test-taker had his or her hand on the button before pushing it or higher up, which would add time.

From Washington Post • Mar. 21, 2023

In one leap he jumped onto the alarm clock, landing right on the button that set off the alarm.

From "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.