lights

according to one's own lights

according to the way one believes; according to the way one's conscience or inclinations lead one. John may have been wrong, but he did what he did according to his own lights.

See also: accord

punch someone's lights out

Sl. to knock someone out with a fist. You had better stop that, or I will punch your lights out! Do you want me to punch your lights out?

See also: out, punch

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have/see your name in lights  (informal)

to be famous for your work in film, theatre, music etc. She accepted the few badly-paid roles she was offered and continued to dream of seeing her name in lights.

See also: have, name

punch somebody's lights out  (informal)

to hit someone hard again and again He wouldn't shut up so I punched his lights out.

See beat to the punch, pack a punch

See also: out, punch

the bright lights

exciting and attractive people and places in big cities I went in search of the bright lights, but all I found was poverty and loneliness.

See look on the bright side

See also: bright

The lights are on but nobody's/no-one's home.  (humorous)

something that you say when you think someone is stupid, or when someone does not react because they are thinking about something else It's no good expecting John to say anything. The lights are on but no-one's home.

See punch lights out

See also: but, home

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your name in lights

to be famous and have your work recognized as especially important He was never interested in seeing his name in lights – he was always too busy having fun.

Usage notes: also used with see: I want to see my name in lights for writing this book!

Etymology: based on the brightly lit signs used to advertise the names of the most important actors in a show

See also: name