guiding light

guiding light

Someone who is influential or an inspiration to others. Mother Teresa was certainly a guiding light to many who shared her faith.
See also: guide, light
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

guiding light

A mentor or an exemplary principle. Presumably this expression refers to the light of a lantern or beacon guiding someone through the dark. The earliest transference of this idea was religious, “light” referring to God or the church. Thus the American Transcendentalist Theodore Parker wrote, “We look to Thee; Thy truth is still the Light which guides the nations, groping on their way.” Sometime in the latter part of the nineteenth century the term began to be used for secular mentors of various kinds.
See also: guide, light
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • flash (something) at (someone or something)
  • flash at
  • be in (one's) light
  • be in somebody's light
  • be light on
  • be light on (something)
  • be light on something
  • (as) light as air
  • fly light
  • light as air/a feather
References in periodicals archive
Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: "The Guiding Light campaign reflects Shaikh Zayed's humanitarian vision and the prize's dedication to delivering tangible solutions to some of the world's most vulnerable communities.
UAE's 10,000 solar lanterns to light up thousands of homes
Katherine's new album, Guiding Light, was released yesterday.
Kath sings from heart at CD launch in her home town
If it is still the guiding light we shall soon read a full answer to the points made by Barry Ogleby.
We expect what we pay for
Yet the soap star, who's played lesbian characters on Guiding Light and The Bold and the Beautiful, managed to call on a veritable laundry list of soap veterans for her cast and crew.
When in Venice: stars of the hit web series dish on four seasons of the sudsy Sapphic smash
Her work on "Sesame Street" and soap operas such as "Guiding Light" and "Search for Tomorrow" earned Squires numerous Emmy awards and nominations.
Longtime 'Sesame Street' Director Emily Squires Dies
He said the speech was a guiding light for all towards protecting national achievements and ensuring further progress.
Royal 'speech is a guiding light'
His name's known both far and wide He was always on our side, Guiding light, St Michael's pride Mighty Mr Aldridge!
Your Poem
Guiding light HOLMFIRTH: Holme Valley Girl Guides host a spring fair at Holmfirth Methodist Church, on March 10 (10am-4pm).
Local news
GUIDING LIGHT 3 NIght sky in Scotland on Saturday night STREAK n Meteor above night sky
Goodness, gracious, great ball of fire.
He is a great inspiration and guiding light for me.
The business of being Robert Downey Jr
"The other guiding light of Mikati's government is Hizbullah, an organization pursued in most areas of the world, not least in most Arab states," writes Hamade.
Lebanon-cabinet
Summary: DUBAI -- The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival, has organised a unique exhibition, Al Siraaj (The Guiding Light), near the Heritage Village in Al Shindagha Historic Area.
Al Siraaj Islamic exhibition begins
When the Sun and one of your two guiding light's Mars get together, you're talking about putting very high quality fuel in a very powerful engine.
Your Stars with Patrick Arundell
Summer lulls us into a sense of security, Autumn is nearby creating the year's last mild season, For there will always be a guiding light within the dark, As if it is for a reason the stars shine bright.
Poets' corner
SAINTS Guiding Light Recorded in Denver, Colorado, this is lead track from the debut EP by a new Scottish band led by singer Rob Gault.
7 SONGS ON MY RADIO; Some of the gems BILLY SLOAN is playing on his Clyde1 show tonight at 7pm. Listen online