What is "to look on the bright side"

Bright \Bright\, a. [OE. briht, AS. beorht, briht; akin to OS. berht, OHG. beraht, Icel. bjartr, Goth. ba['i]rhts.

1. Radiating or reflecting light; shedding or having much light; shining; luminous; not dark.

   The sun was bright o'erhead.
   --Longfellow.

   The earth was dark, but the heavens were bright.
   --Drake.

   The public places were as bright as at noonday.
   --Macaulay.

2. Transmitting light; clear; transparent.

   From the brightest wines He 'd turn abhorrent.
   --Thomson.

3. Having qualities that render conspicuous or attractive, or that affect the mind as light does the eye; resplendent with charms; as, bright beauty.

   Bright as an angel new-dropped from the sky.
   --Parnell.

4. Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent.

5. Sparkling with wit; lively; vivacious; shedding cheerfulness and joy around; cheerful; cheery.

   Be bright and jovial among your guests.
   --Shak.

6. Illustrious; glorious.

   In the brightest annals of a female reign.
   --Cotton.

7. Manifest to the mind, as light is to the eyes; clear; evident; plain.

   That he may with more ease, with brighter evidence, and with surer success, draw the bearner on.
   --I. Watts.

8. Of brilliant color; of lively hue or appearance.

   Here the bright crocus and blue violet grew.
   --Pope.

   Note: Bright is used in composition in the sense of brilliant, clear, sunny, etc.; as, bright-eyed, bright-haired, bright-hued.

   bright side the positive or favorable aspects of a situation.

   to look on the bright side to focus the attention on favorable aspects of a situation; to minimize attention to possible negative or unfavorable factors in a situation.

   Syn: Shining; splending; luminous; lustrous; brilliant; resplendent; effulgent; refulgent; radiant; sparkling; glittering; lucid; beamy; clear; transparent; illustrious; witty; clear; vivacious; sunny.