at the crack of dawn

Meaning

This expression means very early in the morning, right as the sun is starting to rise. It is commonly used when talking about travel schedules, early shifts at work, or waking up early to beat traffic. The tone is neutral but often implies that the hour is slightly inconvenient or requires effort.

Examples

• We had to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch our flight to Paris.

  We had to wake up at the crack of dawn to catch our flight to Paris.

• I don't mind waking up at the crack of dawn if it means avoiding the highway traffic.

  I don't mind waking up at the crack of dawn if it means avoiding the highway traffic.

• The tour bus leaves at the crack of dawn, so make sure you set an alarm.

  The tour bus leaves at the crack of dawn, so make sure you set an alarm.

• She is always up at the crack of dawn to go for a run before work.

  She is always up at the crack of dawn to go for a run before work.

• If we want to reach the summit by noon, we need to start hiking at the crack of dawn.

  If we want to reach the summit by noon, we need to start hiking at the crack of dawn.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We woke up in the crack of dawn.

  ✓ We woke up at the crack of dawn.

  The idiom always uses the preposition 'at', not 'in' or 'on'.

• ✗ I hate waking up at the crack of the dawn.

  ✓ I hate waking up at the crack of dawn.

  Do not include the definite article 'the' before 'dawn' in this specific idiomatic phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To get the best spots on the beach, we had to arrive ___.

  💡 Very early in the morning, just as the sun rises.

  Show answer

  at the crack of dawn

• My dad always gets up ___ to read the newspaper in peace.

  💡 At the very beginning of the day.

  Show answer

  at the crack of dawn