Meaning
The phrase it dawned on someone that... means that a person suddenly realized or understood something—often after not noticing it before.
Origin
The expression uses “dawn” metaphorically, comparing the moment of realization to the sunrise—when light gradually appears, revealing what was previously hidden in darkness.
Example Sentences
- It dawned on her that she had left the oven on.
- It suddenly dawned on me why he never replied to my messages.
- Only later did it dawn on them that they were being watched.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in past tense and often includes adverbs like suddenly, slowly, or finally to emphasize how the realization occurred.
Structure: It dawned on + [person] + that + [clause]