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Phrase(s): light up
1. to become brighter. • Suddenly, the sky lit up like day. • The room lit up as the fire suddenly came back to life. 2. [for someone] to become interested and responsive in something. • We could tell from the way Sally lit up that she recognized the man in the picture. • She lit up when we told her about our team’s success., Phrase(s): light someone or something up
to shine lights on someone or something. (See also light something up.) • We lit Fred up with the headlights of the car. • Light up the stage and let’s rehearse., Phrase(s): light something up
1. to light a fire, a gas burner, etc. • I lit the kindling up and soon the fire was going. • You light up the stove and get dinner going. 2. to light something to smoke, such as a cigarette, pipe, etc. (See also light someone or something up.) • She lit the cigarette up and took in a great breath of the smoke. • She lit up a cigarette.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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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]
American Heritage Idioms