What does the phrase 'the sun never sets on the British Empire' mean?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of the phrase 'the sun never sets on the British Empire', which signifies the vastness of the British Empire during its height, such that at any given time, the sun is shining on at least one of its territories worldwide.
Answer
The British Empire was so extensive that it was always daytime somewhere within it.
The final answer is that the phrase signifies the vastness of the British Empire, indicating that it was so extensive that at any given time, it was always day somewhere within the Empire.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that the phrase signifies the vastness of the British Empire, indicating that it was so extensive that at any given time, it was always day somewhere within the Empire.
More Information
The British Empire was one of the largest empires in history, with territories on every inhabited continent. This phrase literally meant that the sun was always shining on at least one part of the Empire.
Tips
Common mistakes include misinterpreting the phrase as metaphorical rather than literal in its historical context.
Sources
- The empire on which the sun never sets - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- What Does The Sun Never Sets On The British Empire Mean? - worldatlas.com
- What does 'The sun never set on the British Empire' mean? - Quora - quora.com
