Definition of dawn on

The phrase "dawn on" is a figurative use of the term "dawn," which literally refers to the first light of day. In the expression "dawn on," "dawn" is used metaphorically to describe the onset or arrival of something, particularly when that occurrence is associated with a new beginning, hope or renewal. The origin of this idiomatic use can be traced back to the mid-19th century. In its earliest appearances in print, "dawn on" was often used in religious contexts, such as "dawn on the resurrection morn," which refers to the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ at dawn on the third day after his crucifixion. Outside religious contexts, "dawn on" was initially used to describe the arrival of a new day or morning, as in "the dew fell heavy, and the dawn began to lighten the eastern sky." However, as the idiom became more common, it was increasingly used in a more metaphorical and figurative manner. By the late 19th century, "dawn on" began to be employed in a variety of contexts, including literary and poetic language, such as "dawn on the heart of man," which refers to the beginning of a new stage in human consciousness, and, "dawn on green wings," which describes the emergence of new hope or possibilities. Today, "dawn on" remains a popular idiomatic expression, used to describe the beginning, arrival or resurgence of a host of phenomena, from new ideas and initiatives ("dawn on a new era") to revivals of art forms, hobbies and interests ("dawn on my passion"). Its continued use is a testament to the stylistic appeal of comingling literal and figurative meaning in language, as well as to the enduring symbolic power of the image of the sun's first rays breaking through the darkness of night.