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UKsweetness and light
/swˈiːtnəs and lˈaɪt/
/swˈiːtnəs ænd lˈaɪt/sweetness and light
[PHRASE]
What is the origin of the idiom "sweetness and light" and when to use it?
The phrase "sweetness and light" comes from an essay written by Matthew Arnold in 1869. It is commonly used to describe people who are pleasant and friendly, or to refer to speeches, writing, or discussions that focus on positive and uplifting ideas. It suggests the idea of creating a positive environment by being nice, optimistic, and open-minded.
Examples
1. It’s not all sweetness and light being an actor.
2. And so you pretend that you're just sweetness and light and that your objectives in life are pure and wholesome and progressive.
3. But the reality of the French alliance was not all sweetness and light.
4. The one pig Amy is sweetness and light.
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