make my day

1. To make someone very happy: “You won first prize? Now that really makes my day!” The saying dates to the beginning of the twentieth century, but it gained popularity with its use by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry movies and, later, by President Ronald Reagan.

Idioms and Phrases

see make one's day.

Related Words

• confront 
• disregard 
• elude 
• flout 
• ignore 
• mock 
• oppose 
• provoke 
• resist 
• ridicule 
• spurn 
• thwart 
• violate 
• withstand