English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Crack of dawn
Meaning
The idiom "crack of dawn" refers to the very early morning hours, usually before sunrise. It is often used to describe a time when someone wakes up or starts their day. The phrase is typically associated with feelings of excitement, anticipation, and opportunity for new beginnings.
Usage
- I always start my day at the crack of dawn so that I can have a head start on my work.
- She was awake before the crack of dawn to finish her project before the deadline.
- The bird flies down to the river before the crack of dawn to catch its food.
- I feel most productive during the early morning hours, which is why I prefer working at the crack of dawn.
- The hiker was up way before the crack of dawn to reach the summit and watch the sunrise.
Roots and History
The phrase "crack of dawn" dates back to the 16th century and comes from the old English word "crake," which means to cry. In the past, the phrase was used to describe a rooster's first cry at the beginning of daylight. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer to any time before sunrise. The idiom has been used in literature, music, and poetry since the 19th century.
Synonyms in English
- First light
- Morning hours
- Daybreak
- Sunrise
- Early morning
Synonyms in other languages
- French: le premier jour de matin - This idiom literally means "the first day of the morning," and is commonly used to refer to the early morning hours before sunrise.
- Spanish: cuando amanece la luna - This phrase translates to "when the moon rises," which is a common way to describe the beginning of nightfall and the end of the day.
- Italian: al momento del fiammeauro - This idiom means "at the moment of the sunrise," and is used to describe the time when the sun begins to appear over the horizon.
- German: zum Morgenstern hinaus - This phrase translates to "until the morning star appears," which is a common way to describe the early morning hours before sunrise.
- Russian: до рассвета - This idiom means "until daybreak" and is used to describe the time when the first light of dawn appears on the horizon.