English Reference
Idiom idiom

come to life


To become alive, to be given life; to be brought into existence.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The old garden seems to come to life in the spring.

CONTEXTUAL

The quiet town really comes to life when the annual music festival begins each summer.

COMPLEX

As the talented actor stepped onto the stage, the static character in the script seemed to come to life before the audience.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    beg for one's life

    To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.

  4. 04

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  5. 05

    bread of life

    Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.

  6. 06

    bring back to life

    To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.

  7. 07

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  8. 08

    cat and dog life

    An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.

Last updated August 10, 2026