BBC Learning English - The English We Speak / Light up like a Christmas tree

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Introduction

Has something suddenly made you look very happy? Learn an expression for this.

Transcript

Beth
Welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Beth.

Feifei
And I'm Feifei.

Beth
We have an expression all about being very happy, particularly when your face suddenly reflects how happy or excited you are. It's a nice phrase for Christmas and it has a Christmas word in it – it’s 'light up like a Christmas tree'.

Feifei
'Light up like a Christmas tree'. Can you give us some context, Beth?

Beth
Well, think about a Christmas tree. When you turn on the lights, it's suddenly much brighter – it’s full of life and energy. Now, imagine this being your face. Last year, I got a puppy for Christmas. It was such a shock. When I saw him, I lit up like a Christmas tree. I was so happy!

Feifei
Wow. I can imagine your face. Very excited! When I was a child, I really wanted a doll's house. I didn't expect to get one, but I did! I lit up like a Christmas tree.

Beth
So, in both these situations, we were surprised. A happy surprise, and our faces reflected that. But this expression doesn't always have to be used with a surprise or Christmas.

Feifei
True. Whenever I see my family after a while, I light up like a Christmas tree. I know I'm going to see them, it's not a surprise, but I still feel really excited about it.

Beth
Yesterday, my nephew lit up like a Christmas tree when I told him we could make a snowman! He was very excited. Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
My girlfriend lit up like a Christmas tree when I asked her to marry me.

When I read him the poem I'd written, he lit up like a Christmas tree.

I lit up like a Christmas tree when I found out I'd got the job.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the expression ‘light up like a Christmas tree', which is a way of saying you look very happy or excited about something.

Beth
Now, we've been using it so far metaphorically to mean you look excited about something, but we can also use it more literally, especially when a place is particularly bright, with a lot of lights.

Feifei
Yes. I went to Paris last weekend and at night, the Eiffel Tower was lit up like a Christmas tree!

Beth
Ah yes. It's covered in lights. It's always lit up like a Christmas tree at night. I better go, it's time for our Christmas party! See you next time, and Merry Christmas.

Feifei
Bye for now!

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