trip the light fantastic
Move rhythmically, elegantly
Trip the light fantastic is a playful, deliberately old-fashioned way of saying dance.
The phrase comes from Milton's poetry and survives mainly as a humorous or ironic flourish: Shall we trip the light fantastic?
It suggests ballroom elegance or theatrical flair, often with a wink at its own antiquated sound.
Venue for formal dances
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
- foxtrotSmooth partner dance
- salsaSpicy tomato condiment
swing · cha-cha · jive · quickstep · mambo · rhumba · flamenco · ballet
Festive formal occasion
- soireeFormal evening party
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- feteElaborate public celebration
- revelryNoisy, lively celebration
merrymaking · festive · shindig · banquet · jubilee · extravaganza · carnival · fiesta
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- swingSuspended recreational seat
syncopation · pulse · lilt · meter · downbeat · upbeat · backbeat · time
Period of peak prosperity
- vintageQuality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- bygone eraPeriod no longer current
- halcyon daysPeriod of happiness and tranquility
old-fashioned · classic · swing era · dance halls · speakeasy · reminisce · sentimental · yesteryear
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
salsa · swing · cha-cha · jive · quickstep · mambo · rhumba · flamenco · ballet · tap
gala
Festive formal occasion
revelry · merrymaking · festive · shindig · banquet · jubilee · extravaganza · carnival · fiesta · bash
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
swing · syncopation · pulse · lilt · meter · downbeat · upbeat · backbeat · time · sway
golden age
Period of peak prosperity
- vintageQuality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- bygone eraPeriod no longer current
halcyon days · old-fashioned · classic · swing era · dance halls · speakeasy · reminisce · sentimental · yesteryear · glamour
exuberant
Intensely lively and cheerful
- gleefulFull of high-spirited joy
- elatedIntensely, buoyantly pleased
- jubilantExtremely happy, triumphant
buoyant · ecstatic · delighted · vivacious · merry · spirited · carefree · lighthearted · frolicsome · rapturous
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance