THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A sight for sore eyes
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Someone or something you are very happy to see.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- After our long walk, the open café was a sight for sore eyes.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
After our long walk, the open café was ________.
Show the answer
A sight for sore eyes — Someone or something you are very happy to see.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A sight for sore eyes” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Someone or something you are very happy to see.
Compare: After our long walk, the open café was a sight for sore eyes.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this warmly and informally when a welcome person or thing appears, especially after you have missed or needed them.
More examples in context
- My brother at the arrivals gate was a sight for sore eyes.
- The completed report was a sight for sore eyes after weeks of revisions.
Usage note
Despite the word sore, this is a positive expression. It does not mean that someone looks unpleasant or causes eye pain.
A short conversation
A: I brought you a hot meal.
B: You are a sight for sore eyes! I have been working all afternoon.
A: Then take a break and eat.
One more practice question
What does “The rescue boat was a sight for sore eyes” suggest?
A. The people were very pleased to see the boat.
B. The boat was painful to look at.
Check your answer
A. The boat was a welcome sight, probably because help was needed.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.