1 (not darkness) luz (f) she was sitting with her back to the light or with the light behind her estaba sentada de espaldas a la luz; the light was beginning to fade estaba empezando a oscurecer; her hair is almost black in certain lights según como le da la luz tiene el pelo casi negro
Suddenly there was a flash of white light in the sky Cracks of light filtered through the shutters It was difficult to see in the dim light We are dependent on the sun for heat and light She loved the intense light of the African plains the light isn't good enough to take photographs The light was beginning to fade as Grace climbed over the stile let there be light
against the light al trasluz to hold sth against the light acercar algo a la luz; mirar algo al trasluz
by the light of the moon/a candle a la luz de la luna/de una vela by the light of a [candle]/the [fire]/a [torch] by the light of a torch, she began to read
at first light al rayar el día they should get there by first light
you're (standing) in my light me quitas la luz; me haces sombra
light and shade luz y sombra; (Art) claroscuro (m)
to hold sth up to the light acercar algo a la luz; mirar algo al trasluz
to see (a) light at the end of the tunnel ver la salida del túnel; ver una solución al problema there is light at the end of the tunnel all these measures will help you to see light at the end of the tunnel are we at last beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel in the property market? I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. It was the only way I could clear my problems She thought of her retirement day as the light at the end of the tunnel... There was no victory in sight, no light at the end of the tunnel are we at last beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel in the property market?
to bring sth to light sacar algo a la luz
to shed or throw or cast light on sth arrojar luz sobre algo This casts light on a problem which I mentioned last year his diaries throw a new light upon certain incidents
in the cold light of day a la luz del día; pensándolo con calma I believe many unfortunate things were said in the heat of the moment. It is not my role to apportion blame, but I am sure that in the cold light of day many of those involved would have acted with greater restraint In the cold light of day, Taylor's record since he took over as manager isn't that bad I was absolutely horrified and shocked at his behaviour and quite frankly in the cold light of day I find it unbelievable that a grown man could act in such a way
to come to light salir a la luz (pública) new facts have come to light han salido a la luz nuevos datos
it has come to light that] he was lying no immediate suspect came to light
(the) light dawned on him/her se dio cuenta; comprendió He wondered why she was being so nice when light suddenly dawned on him it wasn't until the following day that light dawned on her Light dawned on her at last
to hide one's light (under a bushel) quitarse importancia; ser modesto If you have knowledge that your superiors don't, or if you can do something they can't, don't be tempted to hide your light under a bushel for fear of upsetting them; be confident enough to promote yourself, but do it helpfully,tactfully and with consideration Don't hide your light under a bushel your CV is not the place to hide your light under a bushel she's a leading light in the local amateur dramatics group in movement, party he's one of the leading lights of the Civil Rights Movement
he was the light of her life era la niña de sus ojos Cheryl was the light of my life
to see the light (Rel) ver la luz; (understand) abrir los ojos; ver la luz (humorous) He says he's seen the light - he's going to become a Buddhist he suddenly saw the light and realized he was going nowhere she wisely saw the light and retired I just hope he sees the light because if we carry on the way we're going, we'll get a shock at Wembley "She's got you as conditioned as Pavlov's dog. I thought you said you'd seen the light?" - "I have"
to see the light (of day) ver la luz (del día) this extraordinary document first saw the light of day in 1966 Museum basements are stacked full of objects which never see the light of day he did not want his wife exposed to the fierce light [of] publicity their lies have been exposed to the harsh light of reality
2 (lamp) luz (f) in the distance I could see the lights of a town a lo lejos veía las luces de una ciudad
there were lights on in several of the rooms
to switch on or turn on the light encender la luz
She went into her daughter's room and turned on the light
to switch off or turn off the light apagar la luz
He undressed and switched off the light I turned off the lights and got into bed.
to go out like a light (fall asleep) dormirse al instante I went out like a light
(lose consciousness) caer (en) redondo (informal) 3 (electricity) luz (f) light and water in the building were cut off
electric light luz (f) eléctrica
4 (Aut) (on vehicle) luz (f) He had his lights on I left my lights on and the battery went flat the driver turned off his lights
rear or tail lights pilotos (m); luces (f) traseras; calaveras (f); (Méx)
reversing lights luces (f) de marcha atrás
5 (traffic signal) semáforo (m) a red/green/amber light un semáforo en rojo/verde/ámbar; to go through a red light saltarse un semáforo en rojo
turn left at the next [set] of lights
the lights el semáforo
the lights aren't working
the lights were at or on red el semáforo estaba en rojo; the lights were against us all the way nos tocaron todos los semáforos en rojo
we had to stop at the lights ...the heavy city traffic with its endless delays at lights and crossings I had to apply the brakes rather abruptly at a red light... to get the green light from sb to give sth/sb the green light the government has given the green light to a bill on abortion the food industry was given a green light to use of these chemicals Other countries are eagerly awaiting an American green light to lift the sanctions altogether
6 (viewpoint) according to or by sb's lights según el parecer de algn They can get on with running the school system according to their own lights and in their own interests
to see things/look at sth in a different or new light ver las cosas/mirar algo con una perspectiva distinta or desde otro punto de vista we were now seeing things in a different light her death made me see my life in a new light in America the Act was seen in a quite different light as one gets older one looks at marriage in a different light this enabled me to look at my relationships in a different light
I began to see my friends in a new light empecé a ver a mis amigos con otros ojos
to reveal sth/sb in a new light
to show or portray sth/sb in a good/bad light dar una buena/mala imagen de algo/algn this shows our country in a bad light esto da una mala imagen de nuestro país
tv programmes which present violence in a positive light avoid including information in your cv that shows you in a negative light he has worked hard to portray New York in a better light/ he appeared that day in the worst possible light
in the light of what you have said ... en vista de or a la luz de lo que has dicho ... in the light of what you have said we may revise our decision in the light of this information it is now possible to identify a number of key issues The doctor should do what in the light of his experience is best for that patient... This should be discussed more fully, particularly in light of the developments in the University This development is significant /in the light of/ what happened later...
7 (glint, twinkle) brillo (m) there was a strange light in his eye había un brillo extraño en su mirada
The murderous light never left his eyes during those weeks... I could see a questioning and reproachful light in Jane's eyes... From the light in his eye she recognized why his battalion called him "Tiger Hanks". I remembered the curious expectant light in his eyes
8 (flame) have you got a light? (for cigarette) ¿tienes fuego?
to set light to sth (Britain) prender fuego a algo She set light to the photographs They had poured fuel through the door of the flat and had then set light to it
