Definition of light up

light upphrasal verb

thắp sáng

////

The phrase "light up" has roots in the mid-1800s, during the onset of the gas lighting era. Gaslights, powered by town gas, were a significant technological advancement over the previous oil lamps. They provided brighter and more intense illumination, thus "lighting up" the streets and buildings. This brightening effect of gas lighting introduced a fresh and lively atmosphere that could prompt positive emotions and bring people some level of happiness. This mood-improving effect of brighter light shortly gave birth to the phrase "light up" as a colloquial expression for creating a happier, more invigorating mood in the surrounding environment. Interestingly, the term "light up" also emerged in the cigarette industry during the late 1800s. The glow of a cigarette when being lit could provide a similar uplift in mood, making one "light up." Hence the additional expression "lighting up a cigarette" or "lighting up a pipe" became a part of the lexicon, popular also in the context of smokers. In current English usage, "lighting up" often refers to the act of smoking a cigarette, pipe, or any other tobacco product, but in a broader sense, it's a phrase for bringing happiness, elation, or joy to a situation.

namespace

to become or to make something become bright with light or colour

trở thành hoặc làm cho cái gì đó trở nên sáng hơn với ánh sáng hoặc màu sắc

Example:
  • There was an explosion and the whole sky lit up.

    Có một tiếng nổ và toàn bộ bầu trời sáng rực.

  • The night sky was lit up with fireworks.

    Bầu trời đêm rực sáng bởi pháo hoa.

if somebody’s eyes or face light up, or something lights them up, they show happiness or excitement

nếu mắt hoặc khuôn mặt của ai đó sáng lên, hoặc có thứ gì đó làm họ sáng lên, họ thể hiện sự hạnh phúc hoặc phấn khích

Example:
  • His eyes lit up when she walked into the room.

    Mắt anh sáng lên khi cô bước vào phòng.

  • A smile lit up her face.

    Một nụ cười rạng rỡ hiện trên khuôn mặt cô.

Extra examples:
  • Her face lit up with pleasure.

    Gương mặt cô sáng lên vì vui sướng.

  • Stacey's face immediately lit up.

    Gương mặt của Stacey lập tức sáng lên.

to begin to smoke a cigarette

bắt đầu hút thuốc lá

Example:
  • They all lit up as soon as he left the room.

    Tất cả đều sáng lên ngay khi anh rời khỏi phòng.

  • He sat back and lit up a cigarette.

    Anh ta ngồi xuống và châm một điếu thuốc.