It's Time to 'See the Light'
2023-12-03
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2In many places, the holiday season in December can be a magical time.
3During this month, many cultures celebrate with festivals of lights.
4From Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia; from Lyon, France to many cities in Japan -- lights are used to lift the spirits and to celebrate.
5So, today we will talk about a few expressions that use the word "light."
6The first is to be a beacon of light.
7A beacon of light gives hope and happiness to others.
8If you have ever been called a beacon of light, take it as a big compliment.
9A person who is a beacon of light makes things better for everyone around them.
10A beacon of light can be a person who helps guide others to safety, much like a lighthouse does for ships and boats.
11These people can even cast light on the darkness in our lives.
12When we cast light on something, we make it better.
13The expression can also mean that we explain something more fully or expose some unknown parts of an issue or problem.
14Some people like to say, "Let me cast a little light on the subject," before they explain something.
15After someone casts light on a complex or difficult issue, you might begin to see the light.
16If you see the light, you understand something.
17Often, you have realized a difficult truth.
18For example, years ago my friend refused to believe that her boyfriend had a drinking problem.
19But when he was arrested for drunk driving, she began to see the light.
20She got him help and now he has been alcohol-free for many years. So, he saw the light, too.
21This expression is very different from seeing the light of day --although they sound similar.
22When something sees the light of day, it is made available to others.
23For example, some people write stories and poems. But these works never see the light of day.
24They stay hidden in a desk drawer or notebook.
25To see the light of day can also mean to be born or to come into existence.
26Let's say you worked on a big project for many months or even years.
27You will probably feel very excited when it finally sees the light of day.
28Now, let's talk about "bad light."
29Bad lighting can make even the most beautiful person look bad in a picture or video.
30So, it is not surprising that seeing something in a bad light means to form a bad opinion of something or someone.
31Sometimes our habits and attitudes can be seen in a bad light.
32For example, a scientist was seen in a bad light by her coworkers.
33They said she was not a team player.
34Now, let's hear these some of these expressions used in a discussion between two friends.
35A: Wow, you look awful. Are you sick?
36B: No. I haven't slept in a week.
37A: Why? What's wrong?
38B: My roommate started playing the bag pipes.
39They are SO loud.
40And she plays late at night!
41A: The bag pipes?!
42Oh, that's too bad. Well, have you told her to stop?
43B: No. She's a really nice person.
44So, I don't want her to see me in a bad light. I mean, we all do annoying things, right?
45A: Yes. But, we all don't play the bag pipes late at night. Look, you need to do something.
46You need your sleep! You could hide her bag pipes.
47Hide them somewhere so they will never see the light of day again!
48B: You are so mean! But you are also right.
49I'm beginning to see the light.
50I'll say something later.
51But for now (yawn) can I crash on your couch. I'm beat!
52And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
53Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2In many places, the holiday season in December can be a magical time. During this month, many cultures celebrate with festivals of lights. From Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia; from Lyon, France to many cities in Japan -- lights are used to lift the spirits and to celebrate. 3So, today we will talk about a few expressions that use the word "light." 4The first is to be a beacon of light. A beacon of light gives hope and happiness to others. If you have ever been called a beacon of light, take it as a big compliment. A person who is a beacon of light makes things better for everyone around them. A beacon of light can be a person who helps guide others to safety, much like a lighthouse does for ships and boats. 5These people can even cast light on the darkness in our lives. When we cast light on something, we make it better. The expression can also mean that we explain something more fully or expose some unknown parts of an issue or problem. Some people like to say, "Let me cast a little light on the subject," before they explain something. 6After someone casts light on a complex or difficult issue, you might begin to see the light. If you see the light, you understand something. Often, you have realized a difficult truth. For example, years ago my friend refused to believe that her boyfriend had a drinking problem. But when he was arrested for drunk driving, she began to see the light. She got him help and now he has been alcohol-free for many years. So, he saw the light, too. 7This expression is very different from seeing the light of day --although they sound similar. 8When something sees the light of day, it is made available to others. For example, some people write stories and poems. But these works never see the light of day. They stay hidden in a desk drawer or notebook. 9To see the light of day can also mean to be born or to come into existence. Let's say you worked on a big project for many months or even years. You will probably feel very excited when it finally sees the light of day. 10Now, let's talk about "bad light." 11Bad lighting can make even the most beautiful person look bad in a picture or video. So, it is not surprising that seeing something in a bad light means to form a bad opinion of something or someone. 12Sometimes our habits and attitudes can be seen in a bad light. For example, a scientist was seen in a bad light by her coworkers. They said she was not a team player. 13Now, let's hear these some of these expressions used in a discussion between two friends. 14A: Wow, you look awful. Are you sick? 15B: No. I haven't slept in a week. 16A: Why? What's wrong? 17B: My roommate started playing the bag pipes. They are SO loud. And she plays late at night! 18A: The bag pipes?! Oh, that's too bad. Well, have you told her to stop? 19B: No. She's a really nice person. So, I don't want her to see me in a bad light. I mean, we all do annoying things, right? 20A: Yes. But, we all don't play the bag pipes late at night. Look, you need to do something. You need your sleep! You could hide her bag pipes. Hide them somewhere so they will never see the light of day again! 21B: You are so mean! But you are also right. I'm beginning to see the light. I'll say something later. But for now (yawn) can I crash on your couch. I'm beat! 22And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 23Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 24___________________________________________________ 25Words in This Story 26beacon -n. a very bright light such as a light on a lighthouse 27compliment -n. a comment on how good something is or an expression of praise 28expose -v. to show something that was unknown or covered up earlier 29habit -n. a regular behavior 30attitude -n. a way of feeling or thinking that affects a person's behavior 31crash -v. (informal idiom) to go to sleep after being very tired 32beat -adj. (informal) very tired 33We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? Our comment policy is here.