1 A2 neutral
To continue to emit or direct light onto a person, place, or object.
"The streetlights shone on the wet pavement, creating long golden reflections."
inseparable
shine on
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To continue shining or to direct light onto something; figuratively, to continue to excel or be positive; in slang, to ignore or dismiss someone.
In plain English
To keep shining, or to make light fall on something — or in slang, to tell someone to go away and stop bothering you.
What does "shine on" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To continue to be brilliant, exceptional, or joyfully alive despite difficulties (figurative, inspirational).
"Even after everything she had been through, she found a way to shine on and inspire those around her."
“
Shine on, you crazy diamond.
— Pink Floyd, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', Wish You Were Here album (1975)
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic slang
(American slang) To dismiss or ignore someone; to blow someone off.
"I tried to ask him for help but he just shone me on and walked away."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Light continuing to fall on or illuminate something.
Actually means
To keep shining, or to make light fall on something — or in slang, to tell someone to go away and stop bothering you.
Usage tip
The literal sense is common and transparent. A figurative inspirational sense ('shine on, you crazy diamond') is common in music and popular culture. A slang sense meaning to ignore or brush someone off exists in American English.
Words that pair with "shine on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sun light moon stars face world
How to conjugate "shine on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shine on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shines on
he/she/it
Past simple
shined on
yesterday
Past participle
shined on
have + pp
-ing form
shining on
continuous
Hear "shine on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shine on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.