light up like a Christmas tree
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To become very brightly lit.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To become very bright and cheerful.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “light up like a Christmas tree” mean?
To become very brightly lit.
Is “light up like a Christmas tree” formal or informal?
light up like a Christmas tree is generally informal.