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.
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