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Phrasal verbs "brighten up" vs "light up"

Differences between brighten up and light up

Brighten up usually means to make something or someone more cheerful, lively, or colorful, whereas light up generally means to illuminate or light something, or to make someone's face or eyes shine with happiness or excitement.

Meanings and Definitions: brighten up vs light up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Brighten up

  • 1Improve ( weather ).

    The day started cloudy but BRIGHTENED UP in the afternoon.

  • 2Become happier.

    He BRIGHTENED UP when he heard the news.

  • 3Make something more attractive or pleasant.

    We tried to BRIGHTEN the place UP by painting it.

Light up

  • 1Light or start smoking a cigarette.

    Asif LIT UP as soon as he got out of the building.

  • 2Illuminate.

    They LIGHT UP the streets at Christmas time.

Usage Examples: brighten up, light up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

brighten up

Example

She decided to brighten up her room with colorful curtains.

Example

The sun always brightens up the room in the morning.

light up

Example

She lights up the room with her smile.

Example

The city lights up at night with all the skyscrapers.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Brighten up

cheer up

To make someone feel happier or less sad.

Example

I brought her favorite flowers to cheer her up after a long day at work.

liven up

To make something more interesting, exciting, or enjoyable.

Example

Adding some music and decorations will liven up the party and create a better atmosphere.

add some color to

To make something more vibrant, attractive, or interesting.

Example

The new painting really added some color to the dull room and made it more inviting.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Light up

brighten

To make something more visible or illuminated.

Example

She turned on the lamp to brighten the room and read her book comfortably.

ignite

To start or cause something to start burning or shining.

Example

He used a match to ignite the firewood and warm up the cold night.

beam with joy

To have a big smile or happy expression on one's face.

Example

When she saw her surprise birthday party, she beamed with joy and hugged everyone tightly.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “light”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in brighten up vs light up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: brighten up or light up?

In daily conversation, people use light up more often than brighten up. This is because light up is used for more common situations such as turning on a light or lighting a candle. Brighten up is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about improving someone's mood or adding color to something. So, while both phrases are used, light up is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of brighten up and light up

Brighten up and light up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of brighten up and light up

The tone of brighten up and light up can differ based on context. Brighten up often carries a positive and encouraging tone when related to mood or appearance, while light up typically has a more emotional and enthusiastic tone, especially when referring to someone's face or eyes.

brighten up & light up: Synonyms and Antonyms

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