# light into

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/light-into
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To set upon or attack.

## Examples

- My boss really lit into me for being late.
- When the team lost the game, the coach lit into the players for their lack of effort.
- After discovering the unauthorized changes to the project, the director lit into the staff with a sharp and unforgiving critique of their performance.

## Origin

From the phrasal combination of the verb *light*, meaning to get down, drop, or come, and the preposition *into*, meaning against.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.