[General] The opposite of 'dip your headlights', please!

Status
Not open for further replies.

Mehrgan

Key Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Hi,

Could anyone please tell me what the right expression is when you wnat the beam from your headlights point upwards? Thanks!
 

Mehrgan

Key Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
I wonder how 'full beam' is used in an expression in everyday English. Ta!
 
J

J&K Tutoring

Guest
First of all, it would be rare for someone to feel they want or need to tell you to switch to the brighter headlight setting- you're free to make that decision without any help, and that is why you haven't heard this before.

Second, I imagine this is the kind of thing that would vary regionally, so an answer from one part of the world (or even from another part of one's own country) might be different.

Where I come from (Midwest US), we don't say 'dip' to refer to low beam. We say 'dim' your lights. We refer to the high-beam setting as 'bright lights'. 'Last night I was driving along, and some jerk had his bright lights on. I flashed my brights at him, but he didn't dim his lights until he got past me.'
 

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
Dip and full beam are used in BrE.

I wonder how 'full beam' is used in an expression in everyday English. Ta!

I was dazzled because the other driver had his lights on full beam.
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
If instructing a learner for example you might say 'Switch to full beam'.
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
I haven't heard 'full beam', though its meaning would be obvious. The version I've met is 'main beam'.

b
 

BobSmith

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2012
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Or simply "brights". Put on your brights. More formally would be, put on your high-beams.

There's also "daytime running lights" and "fog lights" in the U.S.
 

shannico

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Italian
Home Country
Italy
Current Location
Italy
All right, like a "good Italian driver", that often happens to me and I do get into trouble a lot. I'm often told " Don't you drive with your full beams on!!! ":oops:

Dip and full beam are used in BrE.



I was dazzled because the other driver had his lights on full beam.
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
First of all, it would be rare for someone to feel they want or need to tell you to switch to the brighter headlight setting- you're free to make that decision without any help, and that is why you haven't heard this before.

Second, I imagine this is the kind of thing that would vary regionally, so an answer from one part of the world (or even from another part of one's own country) might be different.

Where I come from (Midwest US), we don't say 'dip' to refer to low beam. We say 'dim' your lights. We refer to the high-beam setting as 'bright lights'. 'Last night I was driving along, and some jerk had his bright lights on. I flashed my brights at him, but he didn't dim his lights until he got past me.'

i would say "high beams," not "brights." Must be a regional thing.
 

Mehrgan

Key Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
Iran
Many thanks to all for the helpful phrases! :)
 

Ouisch

Key Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
i would say "high beams," not "brights." Must be a regional thing.

I know what "high beams" means, and sometimes use the phrase, but upon reflection it seem like in my area (Michigan -Midwestern US) we usually say "brights" or "bright lights". For example, when a driver approaching from the opposite direction on a dark, rural highway approaches we might say "that jerk is blinding me with his brights" or "he still has his bright lights on". :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top