light on the hill
- idiom
- Australian
- The charity serves as a light on the hill, providing hope and support to those in need.
Examples
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We are still, in Reagan's words, "the shining light on the hill," and we are never more than one generation away from slipping back into the darkness that existed before our Founding Fathers.
Blog text (8) -
We've been called to be the salt of the earth, the light on the hill.
Blog text (9) -
And let that be the, let that be the light on the hill for everybody.
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He became a light on the hill for the community, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
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Many see her as a light on the hill, guiding young people towards better futures.
Synonyms
Information that makes people understand something hidden
A person, place, or idea that gives people hope during hard times
A person who leads and inspires others in a group by example
A person who is respected and helps shape a group's ideas or work
Something or someone that brings hope during a difficult time
A person who brings hope and a feeling of a better future
Antonyms
How Inspirational
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun combines 'light' (a source of guidance or awareness) with the locative image 'on the hill' (a prominent, visible position), so the idea of a visible guiding example or inspiration is directly inferable from the constituents. This beacon/metaphor is cross-linguistically common, so an average B1 learner who knows the words would likely understand the intended meaning.
Etymology
Light on the hill creates a clear image: a bright light on a high hill that people can see from far away and follow. That's why calling someone a light on the hill means they give 'hope' or 'inspiration' to others.