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
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
There’s something magical about the process—the excitement of choosing the perfect present, the suspense of keeping it a secret and the anticipation of seeing their eyes light up.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
In Election Betting Markets After First Presidential Debate Her eyes light up with the same passion that fueled her journey from a farm girl in Kwara State to a trailblazing entrepreneur.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
Watching their eyes light up, and the smiles form on their faces.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Yet her teammates’ eyes light up at any mention of her, and Gottlieb will take any opportunity possible to mention her.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 18 Mar. 2024
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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
There’s something magical about the process—the excitement of choosing the perfect present, the suspense of keeping it a secret and the anticipation of seeing their eyes light up.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
In Election Betting Markets After First Presidential Debate Her eyes light up with the same passion that fueled her journey from a farm girl in Kwara State to a trailblazing entrepreneur.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
Watching their eyes light up, and the smiles form on their faces.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Yet her teammates’ eyes light up at any mention of her, and Gottlieb will take any opportunity possible to mention her.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 18 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Eyes light up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eyes%20light%20up. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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