The new manager is all sweetness and light today.
sweetness and light
idiomThat which is good, pleasant, pure, etc.
Origin
first recorded 18th c.First used by the Anglo-Irish author Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) in A Full and True Account of the Battel Fought Last Friday, between the Antient and the Modern Books in St. James’s Library, known as “The Battle of the Books”, which was originally published in A Tale of a Tub (1704): see the quotation.
After their argument, they tried to act with sweetness and light to keep the peace at dinner.
Despite the underlying tension in the boardroom, the chairman maintained an air of sweetness and light throughout the entire negotiation process.
- 01
amber light
Hesitance to proceed; limited approval or permission to proceed.
- 02
bring to light
To expose, disclose or reveal something that was hidden or unknown.
- 03
come to light
To become known; to be revealed.
- 04
false light
A point of view resulting in a misleading or inaccurate representation of a person, situation, or fact.
- 05
give a light
To care.
- 06
green light
Approval, or permission to proceed.
- 07
hide one's light under a bushel
To conceal one's positive qualities or talents, especially due to modesty or shyness; to avoid attention.
- 08
hold a light
Synonym of hold a candle.