on the dot

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the dot" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means something is done exactly on time or by a specified deadline. For example: "He arrived at the meeting on the dot at 9am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

At one o'clock on the dot, Presidente arrived.

The Telegraph

On the dot.

Independent

"One o'clock on the dot, kiddo".

The New Yorker

He retired on the dot of 65.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's 4 o'clock on the dot".

The New York Times

Not sooner, not later, but at 8 on the dot.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We had too much dependency on the dot-coms.

The New York Times

So I asked an expert on the dot-com bubble for his opinion.

The New York Times

The lines on the dot-plot graphs represent group averages.

Plosone

Start spinning on the dot inside that box.

WikiHow

The 18th group made the turn at almost two hours on the dot.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the dot" to emphasize the importance of being precisely on time, especially in formal contexts or when setting expectations for punctuality.

Common error

While "on the dot" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated term might be preferred, such as "precisely" or "exactly at the scheduled time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the dot" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action occurred precisely at a specified time. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it clarifies the timing of events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "on the dot" is used to emphasize that something happens precisely at a specified time. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and serves to highlight punctuality. While its register is mostly neutral, avoiding it in highly formal documents could be the right choice. Its common usage in contexts such as "News & Media" makes it a flexible choice in the writing. While other alternatives exist to describe something that happens "exactly on time" or "precisely at that moment", "on the dot" provides a clear and concise way to highlight the importance of being precisely on time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exactly on time

This alternative directly emphasizes the temporal precision.

On the button

This idiom emphasizes precision and accuracy.

Precisely at that moment

This option highlights the accuracy and specific timing of an event.

Right on schedule

This phrase focuses on adherence to a pre-arranged timeline.

To the second

This choice emphasizes extreme accuracy in timing.

Punctually

A single-word adverb denoting timeliness.

At the appointed time

This alternative highlights the fulfillment of a prior agreement.

Promptly

Similar to punctually but can also suggest readiness or eagerness.

Sharp

An informal expression indicating exactness of time, often used in military context.

With perfect timing

This highlights the ideal moment something occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "on the dot" in a sentence?

You can use "on the dot" to emphasize punctuality, as in "The meeting started at 9:00 a.m. "exactly on time"" or "She arrived "right on schedule"".

What are some alternatives to "on the dot"?

Alternatives include "exactly on time", "precisely at that moment", "right on schedule", or "punctually", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "on the dot" considered formal or informal?

"On the dot" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For highly formal contexts, using phrases like "at the appointed time" may be more appropriate.

What does "on the dot" mean?

"On the dot" means precisely at the specified time. It emphasizes accuracy and lack of delay. For example, "The delivery arrived "exactly on time"".