Let’s explore the saying ‘zero hour’ together, understanding its meaning, origins, and real-life examples.
Meaning of the Idiom
The idiom ‘zero hour’ is used to denote the scheduled time for the beginning of a particular event, operation, or activity. It signifies the moment when something is set to commence or start, often carrying a sense of urgency or importance. The phrase ‘zero hour’ is commonly associated with military operations, where it represents the designated time for the commencement of an attack or mission.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of the phrase ‘zero hour’ can be traced back to military terminology, where it was used to designate the exact time when a military operation or offensive would begin. The term ‘zero hour’ originally referred to the hour at which a particular plan or strategy would be put into action, with ‘zero’ indicating the starting point or baseline. Over time, the expression expanded beyond military contexts to encompass a wide range of activities and events that have a designated starting time.
10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations
1. The concert is set to start at 8:00 PM sharp, so be sure to arrive well before zero hour to find a good seat.
2. The deadline for submitting the project is approaching; we need to work diligently to ensure everything is completed by zero hour.
3. The team has been preparing for weeks, and now, zero hour has finally arrived—the championship game is about to begin.
4. The astronauts counted down to zero hour before the rocket launched into space, embarking on their historic mission.
5. The patient’s condition was critical, and the doctors knew they had to act quickly; they scheduled the surgery for zero hour the next morning.
6. The CEO called an emergency meeting for zero hour to address the company’s financial crisis and formulate a plan of action.
7. The election polls closed at zero hour, and soon after, the results started pouring in, revealing the outcome of the race.
8. The movie premiere was eagerly anticipated by fans, who lined up outside the theater hours before zero hour to secure their tickets.
9. The team of firefighters assembled at the station, ready to spring into action at zero hour in response to any emergency calls.
10. As the countdown clock reached zero hour, the New Year’s Eve fireworks lit up the sky, marking the start of a new beginning.
5 Quotes Featuring the Idiom
1. “In life, there are moments when you must seize the opportunity at zero hour, without hesitation or delay.” – Unknown
2. “Zero hour is not the end but the beginning—the start of a journey filled with endless possibilities and opportunities.” – Unknown
3. “At zero hour, the true test of character begins, separating the ordinary from the extraordinary.” – Unknown
4. “In the face of adversity, embrace zero hour as a chance to rise above challenges and achieve greatness.” – Unknown
5. “When the clock strikes zero hour, be ready to seize the moment and make your mark on the world.” – Unknown
Idioms Starting From Letter Z
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter Z. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘Z’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the Z-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter Z.
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