眉开眼笑

• Pinyin: méi kāi yǎn xiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 眉 = 目 (eye) + 尸 (brow shape) — eyebrow; 开 = 门 (gate) + 一 — to open; 眼 = 目 (eye) + 艮 (phonetic) — eye; 笑 = 竹 (bamboo) + 夭 (young) — to laugh

Meaning

Eyebrows raised and eyes smiling; beaming with joy; radiant with happiness.

A vivid four-character idiom (成语) describing a person whose entire face lights up with delight — eyebrows lifted, eyes crinkled with laughter. Used to describe genuine, visible happiness, typically upon receiving good news or experiencing something pleasing.

Examples

1. 收到录取通知书的那一刻，她眉开眼笑，多年的努力终于换来了应有的回报。 The moment she received her acceptance letter, she beamed with joy—years of hard work had finally brought the reward she deserved.
2. 孩子们看到久别的爷爷奶奶回来了，一个个眉开眼笑地扑上前去撒欢。 When the kids saw their long-missed grandparents had returned, they all lit up with smiles and rushed over, squealing with excitement.
3. 听说工资涨了，办公室里的同事们都眉开眼笑，工作的干劲也一下子足了许多。 When they heard their salaries were going up, everyone in the office was beaming, and their motivation at work instantly surged.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, literary, descriptive

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 老人看到孙子回家过年，顿时眉开眼笑，连忙张罗着准备一桌丰盛的年夜饭。(The moment the old man saw his grandson come home for the New Year, he broke into a beaming smile and immediately busied himself preparing a sumptuous reunion dinner.)
• 宣布比赛结果的瞬间，获胜队伍的队员们全都眉开眼笑，相互拥抱庆祝胜利。(The moment the competition results were announced, every member of the winning team burst into radiant smiles and embraced one another in celebration.)

Don't Say

• 用'眉开眼笑'描述勉强或礼貌性的微笑 — 强颜欢笑应用'皮笑肉不笑'或'勉强微笑' (Don't use 眉开眼笑 for a forced or polite smile — use 皮笑肉不笑 or 勉强微笑 for insincere smiling)

Origin & History

眉 (eyebrow) + 开 (open, raised) + 眼 (eye) + 笑 (smile, laugh). A compound idiom vividly describing facial expressions of joy.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal