lighten up

Idioms and Phrases

Become or cause to become less serious or gloomy, and more cheerful. For example, Lighten up, Sam—it'll turn out all right . This slangy expression transfers reducing a physical weight to a change of mood or attitude.

Example Sentences

Doane tweeted, “the film does make fun of Wannabe Berean unimaginative Christians who need to lighten up.”

From The Daily Beast

Jazz lovers who had taken exception to the previous bashing were told to lighten up, and stop complaining.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, I am aware that this is a simply a video game and critics would say I should lighten up.

From The Daily Beast

From Adam Sandler to Tom Lehrer to South Park, a playlist to lighten up the Festival of Lights.

From The Daily Beast

Some partisans undoubtedly thought Eastwood was funny and that the MSM should lighten up.

From The Daily Beast

Now at length we were ready; and the countenances of the soldiers began to lighten up a little.

From Project Gutenberg

The old gentleman did not lighten up any over the story, as Tom seemed to think he would.

From Project Gutenberg

It was clear and cloudless, the canopy above him, and he knew that ere long the moon would rise and lighten up his surroundings.

From Project Gutenberg

Difficulties which now seem insurmountable, will gradually disappear; subjects which now seem impenetrable, will soon lighten up.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps a "make-up" man was inspired with a glimmer of editorial intelligence to "lighten up" the page.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquiesce
• capitulate
• cave in
• come around
• comply
• ease off
• give in
• give up
• let go
• quit
• relax
• slacken
• soften
• subside