a light bulb goes off/on (in someone's head)

idiom

chiefly US, informal
used to say that a person suddenly understands something or has a great idea
After thinking about the problem for several days, a light bulb went off in her head, and she knew how to solve it.

Dictionary Entries Near a light bulb goes off/on (in someone's head)

a light at the end of the tunnel

a light bulb goes off/on (in someone's head)

alighten

Cite this Entry

“A light bulb goes off/on (in someone's head).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20light%20bulb%20goes%20off%2Fon%20%28in%20someone%27s%20head%29. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!