roʊz ˈkʌl.ərd ˈɡlæs.ɪz
Colors
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- eyeglasses with pink or rose-tinted lenses
What does "rose-colored glasses" mean?
- an unrealistically optimistic or positive view of something
- seeing things as better than they really are
Examples
- She's looking at her college years through rose-colored glasses — it wasn't all fun.
- Stop seeing him through rose-colored glasses; he has serious flaws.
- Nostalgia often makes us view the past through rose-colored glasses.
Origin
From the idea that looking through rose-tinted lenses would make everything appear more pleasant. Used figuratively since the mid-19th century.
How to use it
Usually used critically, to point out that someone is being naively optimistic. Also expressed as 'rose-tinted glasses' in British English.
Similar expressions
overly optimistic
starry-eyed
idealistic
Opposites
realistic
clear-eyed
Related idioms
- black and white
clearly defined with no ambiguity
- silver lining
a positive aspect of an otherwise bad situation
- grey area
a situation or topic that is unclear or not well-defined
- give the green light
to give permission or approval to proceed
- black sheep
a member of a group who is considered different or disreputable
- golden opportunity
an excellent or ideal chance that may not come again
Use it in a practice answer
Try "rose-colored glasses" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.