help with idioms?

Question

i need to know what a sight for sore eyes means

Answer 1

A "sight for sore eyes" would mean that the speaker is really happy to see you. This phrase is ususally used in instances where the speaker is grateful to see another because he or she has been needing the help or friendship of the person being spoken to.

Example:

"After struggling with this math equation, you, the math genius, are a sight for my sore eyes.!"

or

"After having stayed up all night with my three sick children,here at home and needing to get to work to finish the project absolutely due today, Grandma, you are sight for sore eyes!"

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

It is someone or something which gives you pleasure to see unexpectedly.A welcome visitor - someone you are glad to see.

This phrase was first recorded by Jonathan Swift, in A complete collection of genteel and ingenious conversation, 1738:

"The Sight of you is good for sore Eyes."

The title of the work suggests that it was in use prior to his writing it down. The currently used version of the phrase was first recorded by William Hazlitt, in New Monthly Magazine, 1826:

"Garrick's name was proposed on condition he should act in tragedy and comedy... What a sight for sore eyes that would be!"

Answer 3

That something you have been looking for (making your eyes sore--which is also idiom for something done for a long time) is there and you see it now. And you're happy to see it/him/her.

Answer 4

It originally meant something beautiful and delightful, the idea being that beautiful things physically soothed the eyes whereas ugly things made them strained and sore. Of course it can be used sarcastically to mean the opposite.

Answer 5

Simply means that you're very happy to see someone or some thing.