see the light

Idioms  

1. Also, begin to see the light. Understand or begin to understand something; also, see the merit of another's explanation or decision. For example, Dean had been trying to explain that tax deduction for fifteen minutes when I finally saw the light, or Pat was furious she and her friends were not allowed to go hiking on their own in the mountains, but she began to see the light when a group got lost up there. This term, dating from the late 1600s, originally referred to religious conversion, the light meaning “true religion.” By the early 1800s it was used more broadly for any kind of understanding. Also see light at the end of a tunnel; see the light of day.

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Example Sentences

“Time is money! You waste time, you waste money! Now, Matt here”—he clapped Matthew on the back—“he’s seen the light! He starts work next week!”

From Literature

“I was thinking this would never see the light of day.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the wackiest ideas will never see the light of day, but the best might end up in one of our tech gift guides.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some of the wackiest ideas will never see the light of day, but the best might end up in one of our tech gift guides.

From The Wall Street Journal

I open the window to let out some of the fog and see the light on in Owen’s room.

From Literature

Related Words

• ascertain
• bring to light
• determine
• discover
• dredge up
• excavate
• exhibit
• exhume
• expose
• find
• find out
• reveal
• uncover