At the crack of dawn
phrase
Very early in the morning, when the sun is just rising.
He wakes up at the crack of dawn every day to go for a run.
idiom
The moment on a new day begins, very early in the morning.
She left the house at the crack of dawn to catch the early bus.
Usage tips
Idiomatic
exaggeration
Uncomfortably early in the morning.
I have to get up at the crack of dawn for my new job, it's too early!
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
phrase
Very early in the morning, when the sun is just rising.
He wakes up at the crack of dawn every day to go for a run.
idiom
The moment on a new day begins, very early in the morning.
She left the house at the crack of dawn to catch the early bus.
Usage tips
Idiomatic
exaggeration
Uncomfortably early in the morning.
I have to get up at the crack of dawn for my new job, it's too early!
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Imagery Use
The phrase paints a picture of the earliest morning light appearing.
The fishermen set out at the crack of dawn, as the first light glimmered.
Pro Tip 2/3Time Specific
It specifically refers to the time just before or as the sun rises.
We started our hike at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise.
Pro Tip 3/3Determined Effort
May suggest dedication or strong commitment to an activity.
She's training for the marathon, up at the crack of dawn to run.
Pro Tip 1/3Imagery Use
The phrase paints a picture of the earliest morning light appearing.
The fishermen set out at the crack of dawn, as the first light glimmered.
Pro Tip 2/3Time Specific
It specifically refers to the time just before or as the sun rises.
We started our hike at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise.
Pro Tip 3/3Determined Effort
May suggest dedication or strong commitment to an activity.
She's training for the marathon, up at the crack of dawn to run.
Pro Tip 1/3Imagery Use
The phrase paints a picture of the earliest morning light appearing.
The fishermen set out at the crack of dawn, as the first light glimmered.
Pro Tip 2/3Time Specific
It specifically refers to the time just before or as the sun rises.
We started our hike at the crack of dawn to see the sunrise.
Pro Tip 3/3Determined Effort
May suggest dedication or strong commitment to an activity.
She's training for the marathon, up at the crack of dawn to run.
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