on the dot

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Related Words

• beforehand
• briefly
• directly
• immediately
• prematurely
• previous
• promptly
• quick
• shortly
• soon
• too soon
• unexpectedly