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.

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
A spokeswoman yesterday said: "This Saturday night, ladies from all over Cavan will be flocking to Buddy Kiernan's pub in Ballymachugh to see a sight for sore eyes as the boys prepare to set pulses racing with their raunchy strip.
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NOW, here's a sight for sore eyes, lads -three photos of our womenfolk being kept in their rightful place.
Bob Shields: Showme just who's boss in your home
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Sean added: "It really was a sight for sore eyes because it looked so good.
PONG ARM OF THE LAW; Police clean up after dirty protest backfires
Dwarf Cherries are a sight for sore eyes when they bloom in April and May.
Oriental delight at snip of a cost; Add a touch of style to your patio or garden with out of this world plants at bargain prices
And to prove it, catwalk queen Helena Christensen was a web- sight for sore eyes in one of his spidery silk numbers.
Mick's girl Jade's in great nick
THIS sexy trio made a real sight for sore eyes at a glamorous bash this week.
Beauties hit the hottest spots around
The Who's singer Roger Daltrey will be a sight for sore eyes when he appears on our TV screens as an inter-galactic villain tonight.
Who's that with Roger Daltrey?; OFF HIS ROCKER ..
By October 9, 1862, the transformation to heavy industry was a sight for sore eyes -and no one was more pleased than four times Prime Minister W E Gladstone.
Green fields to site for sore eyes; Your Say
Cllr Peter Wilkins said: "It will be a sight for sore eyes to sit there and relax.
Water sight for sore eyes!
After being greeted in the sumptuous foyer, we were shown to our double room where a huge bed proved a sight for sore eyes after our evening flight.
10 great reasons to visit Rome
"You're a sight for sore eyes!" "Morning, what can we do you for you today?" "Sore eyes".
"HI DOC" Clive greeted me. [...]
HUBBY EVER AFTER: Jean with her husband Tom SIGHT FOR SORE EYES: Jean with snap of Taylor JOY: Jean Black
HERE'S LOOKIN AT YOU KIDS; Jean sees great grandchildren for first time after miracle eye op
He was on liquidised food after the operation to reset his jaw and admitted he was a sight for sore eyes.
Football: No more nights of pain for Murray; SPL
Roll out a carpet of royal blue Anemone blanda, scillas and chionodoxa at her feet and you'll soon have a sight for sore eyes.
Gardening Roll out a royal blue carpet for Camellia