reflect on (someone something)

reflect on (someone something)

To stand as evidence of someone's or something's qualities or merits. The principal seems more concerned that the incident will reflect poorly on the school, as opposed to whether anyone was hurt. Your poise under pressure really reflects on your ability as a leader.See also: on, reflect

reflect (back) (up)on someone or something

to remember or think about someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) When I reflect back on the years I spent with my parents, I think I had a good childhood. I like to reflect on my great-grandmother.See also: on, reflect

reflect on

1. Consider or think carefully about, as in She reflected on her country's role in history. [c. 1600] A closely related phrase is on due reflection, meaning "after careful consideration." For example, On due reflection I decided to vote for the incumbent. 2. reflect on one. Give evidence of one's qualities, as in The hasty preparation of this report will reflect on you. [Second half of 1600s] See also: on, reflect

reflect well, badly, etc. on somebody/something

make somebody/something appear to be good, bad, etc. to other people: This incident reflects badly on everyone involved.See also: on, reflect, somebody, something

reflect on

or reflect uponv.1. To think carefully about something: He sat in the garden and reflected on what he had just read.2. To express carefully considered thoughts about something: In the essay, she reflects on her long career and offers advice for young writers.3. To give evidence of the characteristics or qualities of someone or something: The student's performance reflects well on the whole school. Hasty preparation of the report will reflect badly on you.4. To appear as a reflected image on some surface: The trees are reflecting on the water.5. To cause something to appear as a reflected image on some surface: The window reflected wavy lines on the floor.See also: on, reflect