look on the bright side
To examine a situation, usually unfavorable, from a positive perspective; to be cheerful or optimistic.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Try to look on the bright side of things.”
“Even though the flight was delayed, she told her friends to look on the bright side because they had more time to talk.”
“When the project failed, the manager encouraged the team to look on the bright side, noting that the lessons learned would prove invaluable for their future endeavors.”
- 01
bright and early
(Very) early in the morning.
- 02
bright lights
The glamour and glitz of a place, especially a big city.
- 03
bright line
A clear distinction in the context of a legal, moral, ethical, or analytical judgment.
- 04
bright side
A consoling aspect of a difficult situation.
- 05
bright spark
A person who is intelligent, clever or quick-witted.
- 06
bright young thing
One who is youthful, clever, eager, and high-spirited in manner and attractive in appearance.
- 07
butcher's
[Cockney slang]look
- 08
butter one's bread on both sides
To profit from two things at the same time, especially when those things seem contradictory or incompatible.
Last updated August 10, 2026