# X marks the spot

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/x-marks-the-spot
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One will find what one is looking for under an obvious sign for it.

## Examples

- Look at the map, X marks the spot.
- The treasure hunter pointed to the map and said that X marks the spot.
- After years of searching through ancient archives, he finally found the document where X marks the spot of the hidden vault.

## Origin

From the traditional crosslike mark used on maps to indicate the location of buried treasure. The phrase preserves the cartographic convention of using a cross as a precise coordinate for a concealed object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.