light up

verb

1. to light a cigarette, pipe, etc

2. to illuminate or cause to illuminate

3. to make or become cheerful or animated

Idioms and Phrases

Become or cause to become more animated or cheerful, as in Her laughter lit up the whole room , or His face lit up when he saw her . This expression transfers physical illumination to human moods. Also see lighten up . [Mid-1700s]

Start smoking a cigar, cigarette, or pipe, as in The minute he got outside the church he lit up . [ Colloquial ; mid-1800s]

Related Words

• blink 
• flicker 
• gleam 
• glint 
• glisten 
• glitter 
• glow 
• illuminate 
• shimmer 
• sparkle 
• wink