Idioms with "sun"

Question

What is the meaning of the idiom a place in the sun?  –JG, Cyprus

Answer

A place in the sun usually refers to a good, successful, or desirable position. It is used a little differently from the idiom his/her day in the sun, which is used to talk about someone who is suddenly getting a lot of positive attention. Both of these expressions imply that the person who is now “in the sun” has been waiting a long time for this to happen.

Below are some example sentences with these two idioms:

• After years of struggling as an unknown actor, he has finally found a place in the sun.
• She was a poor and powerless immigrant seeking her place in the sun.

• The singer is still waiting for his day in the sun.
• The band, The Texas T-bones, is having its day in the sun.

Note that the words "a place in the sun" are not always used as an idiom. They can also be used literally, as in this example:

• Find a place in the sun and plant tomatoes.

Learn about other English expressions with “sun”:

• "In the sun" or "under the sun"?