English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Lights are on but nobody is home
Meaning
The idiom "lights are on but nobody is home" means that a place or person appears to be active or occupied, but in reality, they are not there or they are not available. This could mean that the lights are on in a house, but the occupants are not at home, or that an electronic device is powered on, but it's not being used.
Usage
- "I went to my neighbor's house to borrow some sugar, but the lights were on, and nobody was home."
- "I was walking through the park and saw a car parked in front of a store with its lights on, but it was closed."
- "I called my friend to invite them over for dinner, but they answered the phone and said their lights were on, but they were out running errands."
- "I went to the library, but all the computers were powered on, but nobody was using them."
- "My colleague's phone rang, but when I looked, the lights were on in their office, but they were not there." The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, it could be used to describe a physical location or an electronic device. It could also be used figuratively to describe someone who appears busy or active but is actually unavailable.
Roots and History
This idiom has its roots in the idea that a house with lights on may appear to be occupied, but it's possible that nobody is home. The phrase "lights are on" became popular in the 1950s and 60s with the rise of television and telephones. It was used to describe people who were on the phone or watching TV but not actually home. Over time, the idiom has evolved to include electronic devices as well. Today, it's commonly used to describe a computer or other electronic device that appears to be powered on but is not being used.
Synonyms in English
- "The house is dark, and nobody is home."
- "The lights are off in the store, and it's closed."
- "The phone is ringing, but nobody is answering."
- "The computer is on, but nobody is using it."
- "The car is parked, but nobody is inside."
Synonyms in other languages
- French: "Les lumières sont allumées mais personne n'est à la maison." (Lights are on but nobody is home.)
- German: "Die Türen sind geöffnet, aber jemand ist nicht zuhause." (The doors are open, but nobody is at home.)
- Spanish: "Las luces están encendidas pero nadie está en casa." (The lights are on, but nobody is at home.)
- Italian: "Le luci sono accese ma nessuno è a casa." (The lights are on, but nobody is at home.)
- Chinese: "灯光打开但人不在家。" (Lights open but no one at home.)