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

As a result, better ideas never see the light of day; product defects are covered up; unethical practices continue unchecked; deals are thwarted.

From The Wall Street Journal

They have collaborated on songs that he hopes will see the light of day next year, and he feels the experience brought him out of his comfort zone.

From BBC

And the long-awaited strategy on child poverty will likely see the light of day towards the end of the week.

From BBC

Many details of the agreement Bern struck last week to slash the levy to 15 percent, on par with the surrounding European Union, have yet to see the light of day.

From Barron's

I look behind me to see the light of our entrance grow dark with magical thorned vines.

From Literature

Related Words

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