light up

éclairer, illuminer

Rendre un lieu ou un objet lumineux en l’éclairant.

En anglais simple : To make a place or thing bright by shining light on it.

• The lamp lights up the room.
• Fireworks lit up the sky last night.
• These small lights will light up the path.

Comment l'utiliser : light something up (The fireworks lit the whole sky up.)

Synonymes : light, illuminate, brighten

Contraires : darken

Expressions courantes : light up a room, light up the sky

s’allumer

Commencer à briller ou à émettre de la lumière, souvent quand on actionne un interrupteur.

En anglais simple : To begin shining or showing light, often when switched on.

• The screen lights up.
• A red warning light lit up on the dashboard.
• Why does this button light up when I press it?

Synonymes : come on, glow

Contraires : go out

Expressions courantes : screens light up, buttons light up

s’illuminer, s’animer, s’activer

Montrer soudain de la joie ou de l’enthousiasme, ou une nette augmentation d’activité.

En anglais simple : To suddenly look happy or excited, or show a clear increase in activity.

• Her face lit up.
• His eyes lit up when he saw the gift.
• The scan showed several brain areas lighting up during the task.

Comment l'utiliser : light up at something (Her face lit up at the mention of her grandson.); light up when… (His eyes light up when he talks about music.)

Synonymes : brighten, perk up

Expressions courantes : faces light up, eyes light up

allumer une cigarette, se mettre à fumer

Allumer une cigarette, un cigare ou une pipe pour commencer à fumer.

En anglais simple : To start smoking by making a cigarette, cigar, or pipe burn.

• He stepped outside to light up.
• She lit up a cigarette near the door.
• Please do not light up in the car.

Comment l'utiliser : light up something (He lit up a cigar after dinner.)

Expressions courantes : light up a cigarette, light up outside

ouvrir le feu sur, mitrailler

Commencer à tirer sur quelqu’un ou quelque chose, souvent avec des armes puissantes.

En anglais simple : To begin shooting at someone or something, often with powerful weapons.

• They lit up the enemy truck.
• The troops prepared to light up the bunker with rockets.
• The commander shouted, “Light it up!”

Comment l'utiliser : light someone/something up (The soldiers were ordered to light the enemy vehicle up.)

Synonymes : fire on, open fire on

Expressions courantes : light up a target, light someone up

faire arrêter

Allumer les gyrophares et la sirène de police pour demander à un conducteur de s’arrêter.

En anglais simple : To switch on police lights and sirens to make a driver stop.

• The officer lit up the driver.
• A patrol car lit me up on the highway.
• If he keeps speeding, I will light him up.

Comment l'utiliser : light someone up (The officer lit the speeding driver up.)

Synonymes : pull over

Expressions courantes : light up a driver, light someone up