look on the bright side

look on the bright side

To highlight the good in an otherwise bad situation. Looking on the bright side, I'll have plenty of time to start my own business now that I'm unemployed. I know you're disappointed, but you need to look on the bright side. At least you made it to the championship game—that's more than a lot of people can say.
See also: bright, look, on, side
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

look on the bright side

Fig. consider the positive aspects of a negative situation. Look on the bright side. Things could have been much worse than they are.
See also: bright, look, on, side
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

look on the bright side

COMMON If you look on the bright side, you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by concentrating on the few good things in it or by thinking about how it could have been even worse. I tried to look on the bright side, to be grateful that I was at least healthy. Look on the bright side. You still have a job. Note: You can also just talk about a bright side of a bad situation. There is a bright side to this depressing situation, at least for one group of people: American tourists. They're getting more for their dollar right now.
See also: bright, look, on, side
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

look on the bright side

be optimistic or cheerful in spite of difficulties.
See also: bright, look, on, side
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

look on the ˈbright side

be cheerful or hopeful about a bad situation, for example by thinking only of the advantages and not the disadvantages: I know it’s inconvenient to be without a car, but look on the bright side — at least you’ll save money on petrol.
See also: bright, look, on, side
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • go figure
  • go figure!
  • only to (do something)
  • only to do something
  • pot, meet kettle
  • hello pot, meet kettle
  • hi
  • hi pot, meet kettle
  • I'm a Dutchman
  • compare to