see the glass as half empty

see the glass as half empty

To view a situation as generally worse or less hopeful than might otherwise be perceived; to be pessimistic. When it comes to the state of the world, most people see the glass as half empty. But they forget all the progress that has been made.
See also: empty, glass, half, see
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(see the) ˌglass half ˈfull/half ˈempty

used to describe whether somebody has a positive or negative attitude towards something: People are prepared to see the glass half full at the moment rather than half empty. He’s a glass-half-full type of guy (= he always expects good things to happen).
See also: empty, full, glass, half
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • see the glass as half full
  • the glass is half empty
  • the glass is half full
  • glass is half full, the
  • glass half empty
  • glass half full/half empty
  • Is the glass half empty or half full?
  • Bite your tongue!
  • hope for
  • hope for (something)
References in periodicals archive
Some see the glass as half empty, but at the Vatican, the empty glass is apparently just an opportunity for a refill.