Today you’ll learn lots of vocabulary connected to the word ‘light’ and we hope that this podcast will help you widen your vocabulary so that you see this word ‘in a new light’!

Email from Pilar from France
“I’ve just watched a video about light, from a scientific point of view.
But this made me think about a subject for a future podcast: light and expressions or collocations with this word.”

Physical Light (literal meaning)
Turn on/off – switch on/switch off – put on the light
Bright light – The bright light from the stage made it hard to see the audience.
Natural light – The room looks much better in natural light.
Artificial light – Plants don’t grow well under artificial light.
Dim/faint/soft light – He read his book by the dim light of a candle.
Blinding light – The explosion gave off a blinding light.
Sunlight – The sunlight streamed through the window.
Moonlight – They walked along the beach in the moonlight.
Daylight – We must finish the hike before daylight fades.
Headlight – The car’s headlights shone brightly in the fog.
Flashlight (torch) – She grabbed a flashlight to look in the basement.
Streetlight – He waited for her under the streetlight.
Backlight – The backlight on my phone isn’t working.
Searchlight – A searchlight swept across the dark sky.

Knowledge, Clarity & Understanding
In the light of – In the light of new evidence, the case will be reopened.
Throw/shed/cast light on – The report sheds light on the causes of the crisis.
Come to light – Several mistakes came to light during the audit.
See the light – After hours of explanation, he finally saw the light.
In a new light – The documentary showed the artist in a new light.
A light bulb goes on in your head – When you suddenly understand something

Hope, Perspective & Positivity
Light at the end of the tunnel – After months of treatment, she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Light years ahead – Their technology is light years ahead of the competition.
The lighter side (of something) – The comedian always looked at the lighter side of life.
A shining light – A person/thing that is inspirational in a very difficult situation

Other expressions
Out like a light – After the long flight, he was out like a light.
Many hands make light work – When a group work together, the task is easier. (Light = opposite of heavy)
To make lig ht (opposite of heavy) of something – to take importance away from a situation
To be in the limelight/spotlight – to be the focus of attention
To give someone a light – Could you give me a light (for my cigarette), please?

Phrasal verb
Light up
(a) The fireworks lit up the night sky.
(b) Her face lit up when she saw her friend. When your face lights up, you suddenly show that you like something
(c) He stepped outside to light up a cigarette.

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. Is there a grammar point or vocabulary area that you would like us to shed light on?

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In next week’s episode: Blood sports

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