smile (up)on (someone or something)

smile (up)on (someone or something)

To express, bestow, or look with favor or approval on someone or something. Usually (though not always) used in reference to figurative concepts such as fate, fortune, luck, etc. I hear that Jenny just won some major award, so soon after her huge promotion. It seems that fortune smiles on her at the moment! May luck smile upon our voyage. The boss made it clear that she smile on individual initiative, so I decided to be brave and submit an application for a project I wanted to lead.See also: smile

smile (up)on someone or something

to bestow approval on someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Fate has smiled upon me at last! I wish good luck would smile on me.See also: on, smile

smile on someone or something

to be favorable to someone or something. Fate smiled on me and I got the job. Lady luck smiled on our venture and we made a profit.See also: on, smile

smile on

Look with favor or approval on, as in The current administration smiles on anyone who gives it helpful publicity. [c. 1400] See also: on, smile

smile on

v. To regard someone or something with favor or approval: Good fortune smiled on our efforts, and our plan succeeded.See also: on, smile