see the light

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Example Sentences

There are days where I have not seen the light of day.

From Los Angeles Times

Wouldn’t you know it, that crazy group of kids helps not just Grace to see the light but everyone in their congregation.

From Los Angeles Times

They keep giving Karen four more years to see the light.

From Los Angeles Times

Production designer Akira “Leo” Yoshimura also told the “Saturday Night” filmmakers that, if you look closely at the opening of the first episode, “You can see the light panels swing as the show goes live.”

From Los Angeles Times

When “The Apprentice” premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, the Trump campaign swiftly threatened a lawsuit, calling the film “pure malicious defamation” and suggesting it “should not see the light of day.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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