"By His/Her Lights"

[studiesinlight]

I used the expression "by his lights," and amilyn had not heard it before, which made me curious.  Have you heard it?  It means, "by his own standards" or "as he understands things," and it usually implies that the person/character thus described is wrong in his standards or understanding, or at least creates a distance between the author/speaker and

Comments

[kirbyfest]

I've heard it, but I don't use the phrase myself. No clue where it's from, though I suspect I've "heard" it in writing rather than in conversation.

[batdina]

yes. this is what I was going to say.

[havocthecat]

I have no idea where it comes from, but I've both heard it and used it.

[wiliqueen]

I'm familiar with it, and use it sporadically. I can't recall either side of my family using it. I'm pretty sure it was in college or shortly thereafter, but I have no idea of the actual source I picked it up from.

[diannelamerc]

Yup, I know it. Have probably even used it a time or two over the years.