Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
like Lazarus

like Lazarus

1 9.9
Return suddenly after being gone for a long time
  • idiom
  • Literature
translation icon : como Lázaro
  • Like Lazarus, Chuck has come back from the dead.

Examples

  • But like Lazarus from the Gospel of John he rose.

    The Inheritance (2011)

  • Rise up like Lazarus.

    The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

  • "I feel like Lazarus back from the dead."

    Fiction book (1995)

  • After months of struggling, she returned to work like Lazarus, revitalized and full of energy.

  • He emerged from his long silence like Lazarus, surprising everyone with his insights.

  • The once-defunct project sprang back to life like Lazarus, attracting renewed interest and investment.

Synonyms

to appear
vslike Lazarus
873 1.0

To come into view or become visible

implies a sudden, surprising return rather than a simple appearance
to turn up
vslike Lazarus
177 2.0

To appear after being lost or when not expected

comes back in a sudden, surprising way rather than simply appearing
to reappear
vslike Lazarus
70 2.7

To come back into sight after being away for a time

returns suddenly and unexpectedly after seeming gone for good
to resurrect
vslike Lazarus
44 7.3

Bring back to life after death or a long absence

is used more for ordinary sudden returns, not literal revival
to rise again
vslike Lazarus
35 5.7

Come back to life or return to activity after a time away

stresses a sudden surprising return rather than a broad comeback
to resurface
vslike Lazarus
34 4.2

To appear again after being hidden or inactive

returns suddenly and unexpectedly rather than gradually reappearing
to come out of the woodwork
vslike Lazarus
  • Informal
20 7.2

To appear suddenly after being hidden or not active

describes a single sudden comeback rather than many sudden appearances
to come back from the dead
vslike Lazarus
  • Informal
15 5.5

Become successful or active again after a long time away

highlights a sudden comeback but focuses less on miraculous revival
to reemerge
vslike Lazarus
8 4.1

To appear again after being away or hidden

returns with suddenness and surprise rather than just reappearing
to return from the dead
vslike Lazarus
5 7.9

To come back to life or appear again after people thought it was gone

is the everyday idea of an unexpected return rather than literal life
to rematerialize
vslike Lazarus
  • US
4 9.3

To appear again after being gone or invisible

is about an unexpected return rather than just a physical reappearance
to rise like Lazarus from the ashes
vslike Lazarus
  • Literature
9.8

To recover successfully after being ruined or failing completely

focuses on a dramatic recovery rather than a simple unexpected return

Antonyms

to disappear
∞ 1.0

To stop being seen or to no longer be there

to vanish
421 3.0

Disappear suddenly and completely for no clear reason

How Sudden

like Lazarus
  • Literature
1 9.9
to reappear
70 2.7
to resurface
34 4.2
to return
∞ 1.0
to come back
∞ 1.3

Surface Forms

like Lazarus positive

Morphology

like + Lazarus

The phrase relies on the biblical story of Lazarus being raised from the dead, so if a learner knows that cultural reference they can transparently infer 'returning suddenly or unexpectedly.' However, this understanding depends on specific cultural/religious knowledge rather than regular compositional rules, so many B1 learners who only know the literal words may not derive the meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Like Lazarus comes from a Bible story: Lazarus was dead and then brought back to life. Saying someone came like Lazarus gives the strong image of coming back after being gone, so today it means 'to return suddenly or unexpectedly'.