X Spots The Mark

Definition of X marks the spot in the Idioms Dictionary. X marks the spot phrase. What does X marks the spot expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. “The three crosses X mark the three places where we were let in.” The term often appeared in romantic pirate stories in which hidden treasure marked on a map figured. X marks the spot is a phrase that means this is the exact location, the thing that you are looking for may be found in this exact area. The earliest known use of the term X marks the spot occurred in 1813, though it is safe to assume that the term was in use before this time.


Also found in: Acronyms, Wikipedia.

X marks the spot

This sign or mark (not necessarily an X) indicates the specific or exact location (of something). I drew an elaborate treasure map for my daughter's birthday, with X marking the spot where I've hidden her presents.If you look at this financial chart, X marks the spot across all of them where the company began to seriously falter.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

X marks the spot.

This is the exact spot. (Sometimes the speaker will draw an X in the spot while saying this.) This is where the rock struck my carX marks the spot.Now, please move that table over here. Yes, right hereX marks the spot.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

X marks the spot

This mark shows the location, as in On the postcard, X marks the spot where we picked blueberries. Although the use of a cross or X is probably much older, this term was first recorded in 1813.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Signing

X marks the spot

X Spots The Marker

sent. This is the exact place! (Cliché.) This is where it happened. X marks the spot.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

X marks the spot

This mark shows the scene of the crime, the hiding place of a treasure, or some other special location. Although this term dates only from the nineteenth century, the use of a cross or the letter X as a special indicator is surely much older. The OED’s earliest citation is from a letter by Maria Edgeworth in 1813: “The three crosses X mark the three places where we were let in.” The term often appeared in romantic pirate stories in which hidden treasure marked on a map figured, as in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island (1883).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
See also:

X Marks The Spot Notary

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
Link to this page:

X Marks The Spot Origin