On the button Meaning in English
expression
ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbətən
ON-thuh-BUH-tuhn
ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈʌtən
ON-thuh-BUT-uhn
Definition
'On the button' means exactly correct or happening at exactly the right time or number. Often used when something matches a target perfectly.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal, mainly British and Australian phrase. Used to mean 'exactly', often with time, numbers, or correctness. Don't confuse it with 'on the spot' (immediately). Common in sports and everyday conversation.
Spanish: exactamente - en el puntoPortuguese (BR): na mosca - exatamentePortuguese (PT): na mouche - exatamenteChinese (Simplified): 正好 - 准确无误Chinese (Traditional): 正好 - 準確無誤Hindi: बिल्कुल सही - बिल्कुल समय परArabic: تمامًا - بدقةBengali: একদম ঠিক - একদম সময়মতো - নিখুঁতভাবেRussian: в точку - точно вовремя - прямо по целиJapanese: ぴったり - 正確にVietnamese: chính xác - đúng giờ - chuẩn chỉKorean: 정확히 - 딱 맞게Turkish: tam isabet - tam zamanında - bire birUrdu: بالکل ٹھیک - عین وقت پر - بالکل درستIndonesian: tepat sekali - pas banget
Example Sentences
The train arrived on the button at 8:00.
basic
Your answer was on the button.
basic
She finished the test on the button in one hour.
basic
Wow, that guess was on the button!
natural
They scored on the button to win the game.
natural
His prediction was on the button—the temperature hit exactly 25°C.
natural