gleam

gleam in (one's) eye

1. A facial expression that denotes happiness, amusement, or knowledge of a secret. Just when Rita thought all hope was lost, Jared got a gleam in his eye that told her he had a plan to get them both out of that sticky situation. The girls' get a gleam in their eyes every time someone so much as mentions Christmas. If Andrew has a gleam in his eye, you just know he's come up with something mischievous to do to his siblings.

2. A hope or plan that is not yet in existence. You were not even a gleam in your mother's eye when that photo was taken. Jonathan says he's going to write the great American novel, but it's just a gleam in his eye at this point. I knew your parents back when you were just a gleam in their eyes.

See also: eye, gleam

gleam with (something)

To shimmer or twinkle with something. Katie's engagement ring looked especially stunning as it gleamed with sunlight. Lydia's eyes gleamed with emotion as she listened to the toast in her honor. The girls' eyes gleam with excitement every time someone so much as mentions Christmas.

See also: gleam

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

gleam with something

to sparkle or shine with something. The crystal goblets gleamed with the sparkling candlelight. The glass gleamed with a bright reflection.

See also: gleam

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

a twinkle in someone's eye

or

a gleam in someone's eye

If a plan or project is only a twinkle in or a gleam in someone's eye, it is only at the stage of being considered as a possibility. Projects that a few years back were just a twinkle in the planners' eyes are now bricks and cement. At this point, space-launched weapons were still only a gleam in his eye. Note: You can also talk about a glint in someone's eye. The European central bank was still no more than a glint in its creators' eyes. Note: Words such as gleam, glint and twinkle can be used to describe the way people's eyes shine or reflect the light. They often suggest hidden energy, emotion, or humour and refer to the excitement of having a particular idea before putting it into practice.

See also: eye, twinkle

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

a gleam (or twinkle) in someone's eye

1 a barely formed idea. 2 a child who has not yet been conceived. humorous

See also: eye, gleam

a twinkle in someone's eye

something that is still in the pre-planning stage and on which no action has yet been taken, especially a child not as yet conceived. informal

See also: eye, twinkle

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017