(all) sweetness and light
1. Of a person, particularly pleasant, amiable, or magnanimous, especially to an ostentatious or exaggerated degree. That's just toddlers for you—horrible temper tantrums one moment, sweetness and light the next. She's all sweetness and light most of the time, so it's really surprising when she makes such nasty remarks. I just don't trust Phil. Come on, no one is sweetness and light in all situations like he is.
2. Of a situation, particularly pleasant, enjoyable, or appealing. Often used in negative constructions. Anyone expecting the project to be sweetness and light from beginning to end is naïve. I know it seems like they have the perfect marriage, but it's not all sweetness and light behind closed doors. I know it's ugly having to see someone you cared about betray you like that, but life isn't all sweetness and light, you know.
all sweetness and light
Kind and agreeable. Susan's all sweetness and light, I'm sure she's not mad at you. I was all sweetness and light as a kid, but I definitely became rebellious in my teenage years. Actually, Laurie can't stand him, but she's always all sweetness and light to his face.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
all sweetness and light
Cliché very kind, innocent, and helpful. She was mad at first, but after a while, she was all sweetness and light. At the reception, the whole family was all sweetness and light, but they argued and fought after the guests left.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.