bright and early

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR A2

Post

Figurative meaning

at the very start of the morning

Word picture

The start of the day is pictured as both full of morning light and at an early hour.

Example

“We'll meet at the station bright and early so we can catch the first train.”

Dictionary details

Component words

bright early

Tags

time

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

early bird Neutral · CEFR A2

someone who prefers beginning the day before most other people

bright young thing Neutral · CEFR C1

a clever, lively, attractive young person with strong social appeal

hang on a minute Informal · CEFR A2

used to ask someone to wait, or to express surprise or objection

so far so good Informal · CEFR A2

used to say that things have gone well up to now

at the end of the day Informal · CEFR B1

ultimately; when everything is considered

for the time being Neutral · CEFR B1

temporarily, until circumstances change

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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