sight for sore eyes, a
a sight for sore eyes
cliché Someone or something that one is excited or overjoyed to see, often after a long absence or separation. Charlie, I can't believe you're back in town! Get over here, you're a sight for sore eyes! I'm so tired after being on tour. My bed is a sight for sore eyes.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
sight for sore eyes
Fig. a welcome sight. Oh, am I glad to see you here! You're a sight for sore eyes. I'm sure hungry. This meal is a sight for sore eyes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
sight for sore eyes, a
One whom it is a relief or joy to see, as in Linda, who had not seen him in 15 years, told him he was a sight for sore eyes. This idiom implies an appearance so welcome that it heals ailing eyes. [First half of 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a sight for sore eyes
If someone or something is a sight for sore eyes, they are very attractive to look at. The sunset over the Strait of Malacca is a sight for sore eyes. You're a sight for sore eyes in your white dress, Milly!
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a sight for sore eyes
a person or thing that is very attractive or that you are extremely pleased or relieved to see. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
sight for sore eyes
Informal One whom it is a relief or joy to see.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
sight for sore eyes, a
The unexpected appearance of someone or something one is very glad to see. The implications is that it will heal ailing eyes, obviously not to be taken literally. Jonathan Swift used it in Polite Conversation (1738): “The sight of you is good for sore eyes.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer