Synonyms

on the dot

Idioms

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.

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.

At 10 a.m. on the dot, an employee opens the door and the all-day parade begins.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

These involve getting up at 09:00 on the dot and drinking from the same coffee mug.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

We caught up with fans ahead of the three-hour show — Knight opened at 7 p.m. on the dot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

At 7 p.m. on the dot, drag queen Jupiter Genesis kicked off the show, wearing a layered purple boa and a metallic bustier.

From Slate • Nov. 2, 2024

“How much do you want to bet that at eleven o’clock, on the dot, the clue we need most of all will pop up in the three hundreds section?”

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

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

on the dot

Example Sentences

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