make someone's day
Cause unexpected happiness
To make someone's day is to do or say something that brings them unexpected pleasure, turning an ordinary day into a memorable one: That compliment really made my day.
The phrase emphasizes how small gestures can have outsized positive effects on someone's mood.
Clint Eastwood's Go ahead, make my day inverted this into a threat—daring an adversary to give him an excuse to shoot.
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- joyIntense positive emotion
- giftItem given freely
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
going the extra mile · surprise · pleasant surprise · delight · warm fuzzy · reunion · elation · thoughtfulness · good news · made my day · fulfillment · compliment · recognition · gratitude · achievement · satisfaction · friendliness · bright spot
make someone's daybreak someone's heart
Cause deep emotional pain
hurt someone's feelings · burst someone's bubble · rain on someone's parade · dash someone's hopes · let someone down
make someone's dayleave a bad taste