dot (redirected from dotted the i's and cross the t's)

dot the/your i's and cross the/your t's (informal)

to do something very carefully and in a lot of detail. She writes highly accurate reports - she always dots her i's and crosses her t's.

See also: cross

from/since the year dot (British & Australian, American)

for a very long time. Children have been fascinated by ghost stories since the year dot.

See also: from, since, year

on the dot

if something happens at a particular time on the dot, it happens at exactly that time. Shops in this part of the city shut at 5.30pm on the dot. The first customers arrived on the dot of 9am. (sometimes + of)

sign on the dotted line

to formally agree to something by signing a legal document. According to promoter Andrew James, the band has signed on the dotted line and will be playing at the Coliseum on November 2, 3 and 4.

See also: line, sign

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connect the dots

to understand the relationship between different ideas or experiences. It took years of hard work to connect the dots between the murder and the suspect.

Etymology: from a children's activity in which a picture can be seen when you draw lines to connect numbered dots (= small, round marks)

on the dot

exactly. You've got to be here at 9 on the dot or we won't make the train.

Usage notes: used mainly of time and in the form of the example

sign on the dotted line

to formally agree to something. We signed on the dotted line Wednesday and will move into our new house next week.

Etymology: from the lines on a legal document where a person signs their name to show they agree to it

See also: line, sign