eyes light up
idiom
—used to say that someone looks excited and happy
Her eyes lit up when he showed her the ring.
Examples of eyes light up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When Camacho sees a shot, her eyes light up.
—
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Bring a six-pack for the craft beer fans in your group and watch their eyes light up.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Here are two words that make everyone’s eyes light up – ice cream!
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
In an interview last year, Friedlander was told that many people’s eyes light up hearing her name.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
The ones in this Air Mail editor’s life barely get excited about anything remotely practical, but when shown the Holiday Case—the latest release from Rimowa—their eyes light up.
—Air Mail, 5 Apr. 2025
Given the way his eyes light up at the mention of Rick’s mom, this certainly seems like a possibility.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Her eyes light up as The Substance producer Eric Fellner comes into view.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
His eyes light up when talking about pumpkins, especially the endless varieties grown at his farm a mile outside downtown Morton.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
Bring a six-pack for the craft beer fans in your group and watch their eyes light up.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Here are two words that make everyone’s eyes light up – ice cream!
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
In an interview last year, Friedlander was told that many people’s eyes light up hearing her name.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
The ones in this Air Mail editor’s life barely get excited about anything remotely practical, but when shown the Holiday Case—the latest release from Rimowa—their eyes light up.
—Air Mail, 5 Apr. 2025
Given the way his eyes light up at the mention of Rick’s mom, this certainly seems like a possibility.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Her eyes light up as The Substance producer Eric Fellner comes into view.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
His eyes light up when talking about pumpkins, especially the endless varieties grown at his farm a mile outside downtown Morton.
—Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Eyes light up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eyes%20light%20up. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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