PhrasesHub

Trip the light fantastic

    Definitions

      • to dance
        to describe someone dancing in a lively and graceful manner

      • to have a good time
        to indicate that someone is enjoying themselves and having a great time

    Examples of Trip the light fantastic

    • As the dancers spun and twirled across the stage, their movements seemed to defy gravity. With each graceful leap and fluid gesture, they truly tripped the light fantastic.

      The idiom "trip the light fantastic" is a poetic way of describing graceful and elegant movements, particularly in dance. It derives from the phrase "tripping the light," which can be traced back to Shakespeare and refers to moving with lightness and agility. By combining this phrase with "fantastic," which connotes something imaginative and wonderful, we arrive at a vibrant and evocative expression that perfectly captures the beauty and excitement of high-caliber dance performances.

    • The lead dancer in the ballet performance left the audience spellbound as she effortlessly tripped the light fantastic across the stage.

      The idiom "trip the light fantastic" is used here to describe the graceful and elegant dance movements of the lead dancer. It is derived from the old-fashioned term "light fantastic" which referred to a visual spectacle of light and movement. When used as an idiom, it means to move or dance in a way that is particularly beautiful, graceful, or elegant, leaving a lasting impression on the onlookers.

    • The fireflies danced with a frenzied enthusiasm through the garden, tripping the light fantastic as they went.

      In this example, the use of the idiom is stretched to describe the seemingly magical and whimsical movements of fireflies as they flit through the garden. The use of the idiom helps to set the mood and tone of the passage, making it more engaging and whimsical.

    • The synchronised swimmers' movements were a seamless and graceful display of the light fantastic as they moved in perfect harmony with the music.

      In this example, the use of the idiom is once again employed to describe the mesmeric dance-like movements of synchronised swimmers as they perform their routines. The word 'seamless' is used to emphasise the fluidity and smoothness of their movements, while 'graceful' emphasises the beauty of the dance.

    • The dancers' movements left the audience breathless as they tripped the light fantastic in a frenzied and energetic finale.

      In this final example, the use of the idiom helps to create an atmosphere of excitement and energy, as the dancers perform an exhilarating finale. The phrase 'frenzied finale' is used to emphasise the frenzied pace and intensity of the performance, as the dancers move and twirl with dazzling speed and grace. The use of the idiom in this example conveys the audience's reaction to the performance, as they are left breathless by the dancers' mesmerising movements.

    • The ballerina pirouetted across the stage, tripping the light fantastic.

      This example uses the idiom in a literary context, as the ballerina's graceful movements are described as tripping the light fantastic. The phrase "light fantastic" is a theatrical term meaning a lively and colorful dance, often one performed as part of a production's finale. In this case, the idiom is used to convey the beauty and excitement of the ballerina's performance.

    • The fireworks exploded in the sky, tripping the light fantastic.

      This example uses the idiom in a more figurative sense, as the poetic description of the fireworks' display is compared to a dance. The phrase "light fantastic" adds a sense of grandeur and drama to the scene, implying that the fireworks' display is a visual feast for the eyes.

    • The sun set over the horizon, tripping the light fantastic in a blaze of orange and red.

      This example takes the idiom in a new direction, as the sunset is described using the "light fantastic" metaphor. Here, the colors of the sunset are personified as a dance, adding a whimsical touch to the scene. The use of the idiom in this way highlights the beauty and awe-inspiring nature of the sunset.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "trip the light fantastic" can be used to describe someone dancing in a graceful and lively manner, as well as to indicate that someone is having a great time and enjoying themselves.

    Origin of "Trip the light fantastic"

    The origin of the idiom "trip the light fantastic" can be traced back to the 17th century poem "L'Allegro" by John Milton, where he writes "Come, and trip it as you go, On the light fantastic toe." The phrase "trip it" referred to dancing lightly and nimbly, and "the light fantastic toe" was a poetic way to describe dancing. Over time, the phrase evolved into "trip the light fantastic," and it has been used to describe dancing and having a good time ever since.

    This idiom is often used in a lighthearted and poetic way to convey the joy and freedom of dancing and having a good time, and it continues to be a colorful and expressive way to describe these activities.