shine

come rain or shine and come rain or (come) shine

no matter whether it rains or the sun shines; in any sort of weather. (See also rain or shine.) Don't worry. I'll be there come rain or shine. We'll hold the picnic—rain or shine.

See also: come, rain

from sea to shining sea

Fig. from coast to coast. (Taken from the lyrics of the song "America the Beautiful".) The new insect pest spread from sea to shining sea in a matter of months.

See also: sea

Happy is the bride that the sun shines on.

Prov. It is supposed to be good luck for the sun to shine on a couple on their wedding day. Our wedding day was a sunny one, and most of my relatives made sure to remind me, "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on."

See also: bride, happy, sun

Make hay while the sun shines.

Prov. If you have an opportunity to do something, do it before the opportunity expires. Jane: While my husband's out of town, I'm going to watch all the movies he wouldn't take me to see. Jane: Why not? Make hay while the sun shines.

See also: hay, make, sun

rain or shine

no matter whether it rains or the sun shines. (See also come rain or shine.) Don't worry. I'll be there rain or shine. We'll hold the picnic—rain or shine.

See also: rain

Rise and shine!

Fig. Get out of bed and be lively and energetic! (Often a command.) Come on, children! Rise and shine! We're going to the beach. Father always calls "Rise and shine!" in the morning when we want to go on sleeping.

See also: and, rise

shine up to someone

Fig. to try to gain someone's favor by being extra nice. John is a nice guy, except that he's always trying to shine up to the professor. Mary never tries to shine up to the manager.

See also: up

take a fancy to someone or something and take a liking to someone or something; take a shine to someone or something

to develop a fondness or a preference for someone or something. John began to take a fancy to Sally late last August at the picnic. I've never taken a liking to cooked carrots. I think my teacher has taken a shine to me.

See also: fancy, take

where the sun don't shine

Sl. in a dark place, namely the anus. I don't care what you do with it. Just put it where the sun don't shine. For all I care you can shove it where the sun don't shine.

See also: sun

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(come) rain or shine 

1. whatever the weather is He runs every morning, rain or shine.

2. if you say you will do something come rain or shine, you mean you will do it whatever happens Come rain or shine, I'll be there, I promise.

See also: rain

a knight in shining armour  (British & Australian) also a knight in shining armor (American & Australian)

someone who helps you when you are in a difficult situation

Usage notes: In stories about medieval times (= the time between 500 and 1500 AD), knights were soldiers who rode on horses and helped women in difficult or dangerous situations.

She looked around the bar to see if there was a knight in shining armour who might come and save her from this awful man.

See also: armour, knight

make hay while the sun shines

to do something while the situation or conditions are right I've got a few hours to finish the housework before the kids come home so I might as well make hay while the sun shines.

See hit the sack

See also: hay, make, sun

Rise and shine!  (old-fashioned)

something that you say to tell someone to get out of bed and start their day Rise and shine, sleepy head - you have to leave for school in twenty minutes.

See also: and, rise

take a shine to somebody   (informal)

to like someone immediately I think Andrew has taken a bit of a shine to our new member of staff.

See also: take

take the shine off something   (informal)

if something that happens takes the shine off something pleasant, it spoils it or makes it less enjoyable Having my purse stolen took the shine off my visit to Dublin.

See also: take

think the sun shines out (of) somebody's arse/backside  (British & Australian very informal)

to love or admire someone so much that you do not think they have any faults You're never going to hear Maggie criticizing Jim - she thinks the sun shines out his backside!

See also: arse, out, sun, think

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a knight in shining armor

someone who helps you when you are in a difficult situation She was looking for a knight in shining armor who might save her from her boring life.

Usage notes: usually said by a woman about a man

Etymology: in medieval times (500 to 1500 C.E.), knights were soldiers on horses who were also supposed to help and protect women

See also: armor, knight

take a fancy to somebody/something

to start liking someone or wanting something very much I think my sister has taken a fancy to you.

See also: fancy, take

take a shine to somebody

to like someone immediately Amy took a shine to Nick, but her friends weren't so sure he was the right guy for her.

See also: take