a sight for sore eyes

a sight for sore eyes

cliché Someone or something that one is excited or overjoyed to see, often after a long absence or separation. Charlie, I can't believe you're back in town! Get over here, you're a sight for sore eyes! I'm so tired after being on tour. My bed is a sight for sore eyes.
See also: eye, sight, sore
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sight for sore eyes

Fig. a welcome sight. Oh, am I glad to see you here! You're a sight for sore eyes. I'm sure hungry. This meal is a sight for sore eyes.
See also: eye, sight, sore
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

sight for sore eyes, a

One whom it is a relief or joy to see, as in Linda, who had not seen him in 15 years, told him he was a sight for sore eyes. This idiom implies an appearance so welcome that it heals ailing eyes. [First half of 1700s]
See also: sight, sore
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a sight for sore eyes

If someone or something is a sight for sore eyes, they are very attractive to look at. The sunset over the Strait of Malacca is a sight for sore eyes. You're a sight for sore eyes in your white dress, Milly!
See also: eye, sight, sore
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a sight for sore eyes

a person or thing that is very attractive or that you are extremely pleased or relieved to see. informal
See also: eye, sight, sore
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

sight for sore eyes

Informal
One whom it is a relief or joy to see.
See also: eye, sight, sore
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

sight for sore eyes, a

The unexpected appearance of someone or something one is very glad to see. The implications is that it will heal ailing eyes, obviously not to be taken literally. Jonathan Swift used it in Polite Conversation (1738): “The sight of you is good for sore eyes.”
See also: sight, sore
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!
  • a sight to behold
  • 200
  • do not pass Go, do not collect $200
  • do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars
  • (I'll) see you in hell!
  • reliance
  • reliance on
  • reliance on (someone or something)
  • compute
References in periodicals archive
Depending on where you are and what you see, it may be a sight for sore eyes. The feeling -- and view -- is slightly more overwhelming when you see the world on top of your head.
The sky miles from grounds up
Summary: New Delhi [India], Dec 14 (ANI): Katrina Kaif shared some stunning stills from 'Husn Parcham' which didn't make it to the final song but are surely a sight for sore eyes.
Katrina shares stills from 'Husn Parcham' that didn't make it to the final song
All good fun and entertainment and the revealing of cheeky Barbara Windsor in 'Carry on Camping' - well that was a sight for sore eyes!
Remembering queens of the Carry On films
All good fun and entertainment and the revealing of cheeky Barbara Windsor in 'Carry on Camping' - well that was a sight for sore eyes! Robert Betteridge, Kings Heath The small print: Letters will not be included unless you include your name, full postal address and daytime telephone number (we prefer to use names of letter writers but you can ask for your name not to be published if you have a good reason).
Carry On films naughty, but nice! Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ
The diva looked much younger than her years, and her stunning new look is truly a sight for sore eyes!
Diva Haifa Wehbe stuns fans with an amazing black ensemble
IT is always a sight for sore eyes when the summer sun finally breaks through the cloud.
Keep an eye out for the sun; Don't gamble with your sight this summer
The player was pictured at the Hilton Hotel at Gateshead donning a black-and-white shirt -- an image that will be a sight for sore eyes in Newcastle.
Aleksandar Mitrovic wears a Newcastle United shirt for the first time as Twitter picture goes viral; Newcastle United are close to confirming the signing of Serbian star Aleksandar Mitrovic with the player currently on Tyneside finalising deal
MUM Linda Hoff was left looking like a sight for sore eyes after suffering a freak reaction to a routine check-up at the opticians.
Eye dreops left me looking like this...... Mum looked 'like an alien' after suffering allergic reaction
THOUSANDS of Santas belting through a city's streets would be a sight for sore eyes any morning - but in January?
Xmas comes twice a year; DALGLISH CHARITY RUN A WINNER
It was a lovely and heart-warming surprise: all new grey plastic tables, lovely new stainless fittings, new suitable wall tiles, new urinal trays and the toilets were a sight for sore eyes.
Shining examples of how to improve rundown public toilets
Our bonnie was a sight for sore eyes Illuminating the sky, no elaborate firework displays Did we kids care?
Your Poem; BONFIRE NIGHT (REVISITED)
But her stand-in at frighteningly short notice, the tall, striking blonde Swedish mezzo Malena Ernman, was a sight for sore eyes. As commanding of voice, her choice of Mozart arias differed little from the programmed ones, with numbers from Cosi fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro and La clemenza di Tito.
Show breaks the ice
The beautiful heiress is the new face of their eyewear collection and isn't she a sight for sore eyes?
WIN A GREAT PAIR OF GUESS SHADES
After the heartbreak of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, it was a sight for sore eyes to see the farmers bounce back with dignity and a future in farming.
Letter: Queen of hearts
But when prissy and pompous Victor Melling (Michael Caine) puts Hart through beauty camp, the transformation is a sight for sore eyes and something of an eye-opener for fellow agent Matthews (Benjamin Bratt).
Miss Congeniality