Smile/grin/beam from ear to ear Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Strong Happiness Use it to express intense joy, delight, or satisfaction in casual situations. He couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear on his wedding day. Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal The phrase is a figure of speech and doesn't mean someone's smile literally extends to their ears. After the concert, she was beaming from ear to ear. Pro Tip 3/3Positive Context It's used in joyful scenarios. Avoid in sad or neutral contexts. After hearing the good news, he grinned from ear to ear.