# rose-colored glasses

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rose-colored-glasses
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A cognitive or perceptual bias where an individual views something in an overly optimistic or positive light, often failing to recognize its negative aspects.

## Examples

- You wear rose-colored glasses when you think about your old school.
- He sees his new job through rose-colored glasses and ignores the long hours.
- Stop looking at this broken car through rose-colored glasses.
- She looks at her past relationship through rose-colored glasses, forgetting all the arguments they had.
- Investors often view new startups through rose-colored glasses and ignore the high risk of losing their money.
- You should take off your rose-colored glasses before you sign a contract for that expensive apartment.
- Travelers often view life in a foreign country through rose-colored glasses until they have to deal with the local taxes and bureaucracy.
- The politician viewed the economic situation through rose-colored glasses, ignoring the clear signs of decline that worried the rest of the public.

## Origin

Phrase appears as early as 1830 according to OED. From rose-color or rose-colored (meaning "pleasant"), from the notion that roses are widely regarded as uncommonly beautiful.

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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.