Verb
dawn on (third-person singular simple present dawns on, present participle dawning on, simple past and past participle dawned on)
(idiomatic, of an idea) To occur to somebody; to be realized.
It finally dawned on him that he could automate the process instead of doing it by hand each time.
After receiving the order to commence the operation, the U-boat moved to a position convert east of May Island at dawn on 31 May. Source: Internet
At dawn on November 4, a strong German counter-attack by tanks of the 116th Panzer Division and a chance encirclement by troops from the 89th Infantry Division rapidly expelled the 3rd Battalion from Schmidt, and they were unable to counter-attack. Source: Internet
By dawn on 24 October, paths still had not been cleared through the second minefield to release 22nd and 4th Light Armoured Brigades into the open to make their planned turn north into the rear of enemy positions convert west of Deir el Munassib. Source: Internet
At dawn on Beltane, maidens would roll in the dew or wash their faces with it. Source: Internet
At dawn on April 6, clashes between strike activists and police, outside a police station in Pulchok ( Patan ), left two activists dead. Source: Internet
Biggest sensation of the race came just before dawn on the third day, when burly Lieutenant Scott and dapper Captain Black flew their scarlet Comet into Darwin. Source: Internet