sweetness and light

• Expression décrivant une situation ou une personne agréable, harmonieuse et accueillante ; souvent employée de façon ironique pour désigner une amabilité fausse ou exagérée, ainsi qu’une harmonie factice.

A phrase describing a situation or person that is pleasant, harmonious, and agreeable, often used ironically to suggest false or exaggerated niceness.

1. Pleasant and harmoniousB2informal

   A state or atmosphere of perfect harmony, kindness, and pleasantness.

   douceur et lumière

   • The meeting was all sweetness and light, with no arguments at all.
   • After their argument, they pretended everything was sweetness and light.
   • The garden party was sweetness and light, with everyone enjoying themselves.

2. Deceptively pleasantC1informal

   Used ironically to describe a situation that appears pleasant but is actually tense or false.

   miel et fiel

   • Don't be fooled by their sweetness and light; they are planning something behind your back.
   • The office atmosphere was sweetness and light on the surface, but everyone knew about the rivalry.
   • Their public image is all sweetness and light, but privately they are very competitive.