light up

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light up (third-person singular simple present lights up, present participle lighting up, simple past and past participle lit up)

  1. (transitive) To bring light to something, to brighten.
    • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Episode 12, The Cyclops:
  2. (intransitive) To become light, to brighten.
    He saw Mary and his face lit up.
    • 2009, President Nixon's Pilot, Jim Bell, in The Propinquity Effect (ISBN 1467870803):
      When we cranked up the engine, the fire warning light lit up.
  3. (intransitive) To light a cigarette, pipe, etc.
    Smoking in this building is not allowed, so I always step outside to light up.
  4. (transitive) To make happy.
    • 2001, Ash, Shining Light
      You are a shining light, and you light up my life.
    • 2010,, Young Girl Continues Bike Giveaway Tradition, 25 Nov 2010
      "It lights me up, make me happy. Sometimes I go home, go in my room and cry with joy,"said Hudson smiling
  5. (transitive, slang) To open fire on a target or group of targets.