It finally dawned on me that I left my keys inside.
dawn on
idiomTo occur to somebody; to be realized by.
While walking home, it suddenly dawned on him that he had forgotten his anniversary.
As the evidence mounted, it slowly dawned on the investigators that the suspect had been lying to them from the very beginning.
- 01
crack of dawn
The first moment of daylight; the instant at which sunrise begins.
- 02
dawn of a new day
A new beginning; a fresh start; an important, promising turning point.
- 03
dawn of time
The beginning of time, of the universe, of the world, of mankind or of history.
- 04
handbags at dawn
A catty squabble.
- 05
new dawn
A new beginning; a fresh start; an important, promising turning point.