DAYLIGHTS Meaning and
Definition
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Daylights is a plural noun derived from the singular noun "daylight." It refers to the natural light that illuminates the Earth during the day, specifically the period of time from dawn to dusk when the sun is visible in the sky. Daylights are the bright, luminous rays that emanate from the sun, providing visibility and influencing the overall appearance and atmosphere of the surroundings.
The term "daylights" is often used idiomatically in specific phrases, such as "to scare/beat/knock the daylights out of someone." In this context, it means to cause extreme fear or to physically harm someone severely, often leaving them unconscious or disoriented. This expression doesn't actually refer to the natural light but metaphorically implies the idea of someone being shocked or frightened to the point of losing consciousness or cognition.
Additionally, "daylights" can also be used to describe the visible bright area in someone's eyes when they are scared or shocked. It is often associated with widened eyes or a startled expression.
Overall, daylights are the natural illumination provided by the sun during daylight hours. However, the term can also be used in idiomatic expressions to denote severe fear or shock, as well as the visible effect of these emotions on someone's eyes.
Common Misspellings for DAYLIGHTS
Etymology of DAYLIGHTS
The word "daylights" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "day" and "lights".
The word "day" originated from the Old English word "dæg", which has Germanic roots. It is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root word "dhegwh", which means "to burn" or "to shine". Over time, "dæg" evolved into "day" in Middle English and has retained its meaning as the 24-hour cycle of light and darkness.
The word "lights" is derived from the Old English word "leht", which also has Germanic origins. It is related to the Old High German word "licto" and the Gothic word "leihts", both of which mean "light". "Lights" refers to the illumination or brightness produced by a source of light.
Idioms with the word DAYLIGHTS
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beat the daylights out of
The idiom "beat the daylights out of" means to physically or severely beat someone up in an extremely violent or aggressive manner. It implies inflicting a heavy and brutal beating on an individual.
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beat the (living) daylights out of (someone)
The idiom "beat the (living) daylights out of (someone)" means to physically assault someone with great force, often resulting in severe injury or a violent beating.
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scare the (living) daylights out of (someone)
The idiom "scare the (living) daylights out of (someone)" means to frighten or startle someone severely. It implies that the person being scared experiences an intense or extreme level of fear or shock.
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frighten the daylights out of
The idiom "frighten the daylights out of" is used to describe a situation where someone or something causes extreme fear or terror in another person. It implies a level of fright that is so intense that it feels like all the light or life is being drained out of the person being scared.
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knock the (living) daylights out of sm
The idiom "knock the (living) daylights out of someone" means to beat or hit someone with great force or intensity, causing them severe physical harm or unconsciousness. It can also be used metaphorically to describe defeating or overpowering someone in a non-physical context, such as in a competition or argument.
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frighten (or scare) the (living) daylights out of
The idiom "frighten (or scare) the (living) daylights out of" means to terrify or frighten someone to an extreme degree. It implies that the person is so frightened that it feels as though their very essence or life force is being scared out of them.
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frighten the (living) daylights out of (someone)
The idiom "frighten the (living) daylights out of (someone)" means to utterly terrify or scare someone intensely. It implies that the person is so frightened that it feels as though the daylight, symbolizing their sense of security and peace, has been completely driven out.
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beat/knock the (living) daylights out of sb
The idiom "beat/knock the (living) daylights out of somebody" means to physically assault or attack someone with great force and intensity, causing severe injury or harm. It implies that the person is beaten so severely that it metaphorically knocks the brightness or life out of them.
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the living daylights
The idiom "the living daylights" refers to extreme fear or terror. It is often used to describe a situation or action that causes someone to be frightened or startled.
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beat the living daylights out of
The idiom "beat the living daylights out of" means to severely thrash or beat someone or something, typically resulting in extreme physical harm or damage. It implies a forceful or aggressive action taken against someone, often with great intensity or violence.
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knock the living daylights out of
The idiom "knock the living daylights out of" means to severely beat or hit someone or something so forcefully that it causes extreme physical harm or fear. It is often used figuratively to describe overpowering or defeating someone or something with great force or intensity, both physically and sometimes emotionally.
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knock the (living) daylights out of someone
The idiom "knock the (living) daylights out of someone" means to strike or hit someone very hard, often resulting in severe physical harm or causing them to lose consciousness. It implies a forceful and powerful attack, usually intended to cause significant damage or defeat an opponent.
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beat/scare the daylights out of somebody
The idiom "beat/scare the daylights out of somebody" means to frighten or startle someone intensely or to physically assault someone severely. It suggests an extreme and overwhelming level of fear or violence.
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frighten, scare, etc. the (living) daylights out of sb
The idiom "frighten, scare, etc. the (living) daylights out of someone" means to terrify or greatly frighten someone, to the extent that it causes intense fear or panic. It implies that the person becomes extremely frightened, as if their "daylights" or vitality has been temporarily drained away by the intensity of the experience.
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frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of somebody
The idiom "frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of somebody" means to scare someone very badly or to cause extreme fear or terror. It implies the act of startling or shocking someone to the point where they lose their composure or are overwhelmed with fear. The phrase suggests that the fear is so intense that it feels as if their "daylights," or inner light or life force, have been frightened or scared away.
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beat/knock the (living) daylights out of somebody
The idiom "beat/knock the (living) daylights out of somebody" means to violently assault or defeat someone with great force. It implies inflicting severe physical harm on the person, often to the point of rendering them unconscious or incapable of defending themselves. The phrase emphasizes the intensity and brutal nature of the attack.
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knock the daylights out of
The idiom "knock the daylights out of" means to hit or strike someone or something with great force, often causing them to lose consciousness or be severely damaged. It can also be used figuratively to describe defeating or completely overpowering someone or something.
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scare the daylights out of someone
The idiom "scare the daylights out of someone" means to frighten or terrify someone intensely. It suggests that the person's fear is so extreme that it feels as if all their energy or "daylights" have been driven out of them.
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frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of sb
The idiom "frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of sb" means to cause someone extreme fear or terror, to the point where they are deeply shaken or frightened. It suggests that the person's fear is so intense that it feels as though their "daylights," or their vitality and energy, is being scared out of them.
Similar spelling words for DAYLIGHTS
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