Make light of
Meaning
To treat a serious matter or difficult situation as if it were trivial or unimportant, often by joking about it.
Origin
The phrase "make light of" draws its power from a simple yet profound physical metaphor: to reduce something's weight. Picture a heavy burden, a crushing problem, or a serious situation that weighs heavily on the mind. To "make light of" it is to metaphorically diminish its gravity, transforming it into something less substantial or significant. This intuitive concept has been articulated in English since at least the 16th century, appearing in forms like Shakespeare's "make you slight." It captures the human impulse to alleviate the emotional load, not by resolving the issue, but by altering one's perception and reaction, often through humor or dismissal, thereby lifting the psychological weight of the situation.
Examples
- She tried to make light of her recent job loss, cracking jokes to hide her true feelings from her friends.
- The coach warned his team not to make light of their upcoming opponents, stressing the importance of thorough preparation.