Oh Dark Thirty

What Does "Oh Dark Thirty" Mean?

"Oh dark thirty" is an English idiom, referring to a very early hour in the morning, typically before sunrise.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "oh dark thirty" used in a sentence:

• They had to wake up oh dark thirty to catch the early flight.
• The race started at oh dark thirty, and participants gathered in the dim morning light.
• He set out on his road trip at oh dark thirty to avoid traffic.

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Oh Dark Thirty" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

A Quick Test

You now know what "oh dark thirty" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see! Show Instructions