Below you will find one of the uses of the phrasal verb 'dawn on' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition, you will also find two examples of it being used with this meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember this use, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use

To finally (often suddenly and unexpectedly) realise something or understand something which hadn't made sense to you before.

I never really understood why he had become so upset when he heard the news about Mary's accident. And then it DAWNED ON me why whilst I was walking in the park; they were in a secret relationship.

It never made sense why he would say something like that to me. Then it suddenly DAWNED ON me whilst I was cleaning the house. He thought I was attracted to his girlfriend. Everything now makes sense.

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Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.