light up

British  

verb

1. to light a cigarette, pipe, etc

2. to illuminate or cause to illuminate

3. to make or become cheerful or animated

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light up Idioms  

1. 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]

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

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Example Sentences

And Father’s face would light up with a kind of pleased surprise as it always did on those rare occasions when he thought about the business side of watchmaking.

From Literature

We saw them lighting up the night sky all along the eastern horizon, and they did seem to be coming much closer all the time.

From Literature

I felt something close to pride as I watched their eyes light up in realization: this was actually a very good sweet — not some leprechaunian trick.

From Salon

At 4:59 an electric bulb in front of me lights up, the last call of my shift.

From Literature

Reaves’ face lights up anytime someone brings up his niece Ruby, who was born shortly before the season started.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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