the sunny side

the sunny side

A cheerful, optimistic attitude or outlook about something or life in general. Life's too short to worry about every little detail—just look on the sunny side and have a bit of fun! My friend always manages to see the sunny side of any situation.
See also: side, sunny
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sunny side

1. The pleasant or cheerful aspect of something, as in Beth always sees the sunny side of events like graduations. This idiom alludes to the area on which sunlight falls. [First half of 1800s]
2. on the sunny side of. At an age less than, younger than, as in He's still on the sunny side of forty. [Second half of 1800s]
3. sunny-side up. Fried so that the yolk remains intact and uppermost, as in I ordered my eggs sunny-side up and you brought me scrambled eggs. This expression transfers the appearance of the sun to that of an egg yolk. [c. 1900]
See also: side, sunny
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • sunny side
  • see (something) through rose-colored glasses
  • see through rose-colored glasses
  • see (something) through rose-coloured spectacles
  • look on the sunny side (of life/things)
  • sunny
  • through rose-colored glasses
  • life is too short
  • look (at something) through rose-coloured spectacles
  • spectacle
References in classic literature
When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny side, with the slope on your right rear.
On my side, I returned to my beehive chair, and set myself down on the sunny side of the court, and fell
For, the boys and girls sat on the face of the inclined plane in two compact bodies, divided up the centre by a narrow interval; and Sissy, being at the corner of a row on the sunny side, came in for the beginning of a sunbeam, of which Bitzer, being at the corner of a row on the other side, a few rows in advance, caught the end.
An easy, hearty, handsome, good-humored gentleman, who walked on the sunny side of the way of life, and who asked nothing better than to meet all his fellow-passengers in this world on the sunny side, too.
Things looked so gloomy in the breakfast-room, albeit on the sunny side of Sackville Street, that any of the family tradespeople glancing through the blinds might have taken the hint to send in his account and press for it.
And, take it in the autumn, what can be pleasanter than to spend a whole day on the sunny side of a barn or a wood-pile, chatting with somebody as old as one's self; or, perhaps, idling away the time with a natural-born simpleton, who knows how to be idle, because even our busy Yankees never have found out how to put him to any use?
I had an old axe which nobody claimed, with which by spells in winter days, on the sunny side of the house, I played about the stumps which I had got out of my bean-field.
"That I cannot see the sunny side of the picture of life, like this artless but ardent enthusiast," she added, laying her hand lightly, but affectionately, on the arm of her sister, "is the penalty of experience, and, perhaps, the misfortune of my nature.
Sometimes on holidays I used to stroll along the sunny side of the Nevsky about four o'clock in the afternoon.
You may depend upon it they do, Kate, and that's the reason they are all near you, and he has put the gravel there, because it's the sunny side. Upon my word, that's very clever now!
You shall have a room on the sunny side, old Tabby, finished and furnished as best may suit your own notions."
"We 'll show you the sunny side of poverty and work, and that is a useful lesson for any one, Miss Mills says," answered Polly, hoping that Fan would learn how much the poor can teach the rich, and what helpful friends girls may be to one another.
Here is my card--I live on the sunny side of the street, and am always at home in rainy weather!" And so away went the shadow.
One day he rode into town on a favorite mule, and, hitching the beast on the sunny side of a street, in front of a saloon, he went inside in his character of teetotaler, to apprise the barkeeper that wine is a mocker.
The Sunny Side Chocolates by Risa and Dark Chocolate Ensaymada by pastry chef consultant Bernie Tan Highly recommended by locals and tourists alike, Sunny Side Cafeacute has become a destination in itself you can't miss its bold yellow signage and accents along White Beach in Station 3.