dawn on . dawn on {v.} To become clear to. It dawned on Fred that he would fail the course if he did not study harder. Categories: add yours add yours study {v.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2025 To section: D Subscribe to: American Idioms► Also consider the parent subscriptions (3)Idioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Leave my opinion Leave my opinion