a false dawn
a false dawn
a misleadingly hopeful sign
A false dawn is literally a transient light in the sky which precedes the rising of the sun by about an hour, commonly seen in Eastern countries.
1992 - Frank McLynn - Hearts of Darkness - After five weeks Clapperton seemed to recover. It proved merely a false dawn for two days later Clapperton died.
RELATED IDIOMS :
the crack of dawn
very early in the morning
Crack here means the instant of time occupied by the crack of a whip.
a false dawn :
Idioms Index – Previous Page
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