look on the bright side

Meaning

To find the positive aspects of a bad or difficult situation. It is used to encourage optimism and hope when things are not going well. This expression is neutral and can be used with friends, family, or colleagues.

Examples

• Even though our flight was delayed, we should look on the bright side—now we have time to eat.

  Even though our flight was delayed, we should look on the bright side—now we have time to eat.

• I know you're disappointed about the rain, but look on the bright side: the plants need it.

  I know you're disappointed about the rain, but look on the bright side: the plants need it.

• She always tries to look on the bright side, no matter how bad things seem.

  She always tries to look on the bright side, no matter how bad things seem.

• If you look on the bright side, losing your job gives you a chance to find a better career.

  If you look on the bright side, losing your job gives you a chance to find a better career.

• Let's look on the bright side; we didn't win the game, but we played our absolute best.

  Let's look on the bright side; we didn't win the game, but we played our absolute best.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ You must look at the bright side.

  ✓ You must look on the bright side.

  The correct idiomatic preposition is 'on', not 'at'.

• ✗ He always looks on the bright page of life.

  ✓ He always looks on the bright side of life.

  The idiom uses the word 'side' to represent a perspective. 'Page' is a literal translation error from some other languages.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's a shame we lost, but ___: we learned a lot.

  💡 Find the positive aspect

  Show answer

  look on the bright side

• Try to ___ when things don't go according to plan.

  💡 Be optimistic

  Show answer

  look on the bright side