BEEN IN THE SUN (or SUNSHINE, or GOT THE SUN IN ONE’S EYES), phr. (common).—Drunk: see SCREWED (RAY, GROSE).
1840. DICKENS, The Old Curiosity Shop, ii. Last night he had had ‘the SUN very strong IN HIS EYES’; by which expression he was understood to convey to his hearers, in the most delicate manner possible, the information that he had been extremely drunk.
1858. G. ELIOT, Janet’s Repentance, i. He was in that condition which his groom indicated with poetic ambiguity, by saying that ‘master HAD BEEN IN THE SUNSHINE.’
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 75. She was thick in the clear, fairly sosselled on beer.—IN THE SUN is poetical license.
TO MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES, verb. phr. (old proverbial).—To seize an opportunity.
1509. BARCLAY, Ship of Fooles (1874), ii. 45. BE BESY about your hay WHILE PHEBUS IS SHINING.
1546. HEYWOOD, Proverbs. When the SUNNE SHINETH, MAKE HAY.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 296. MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES. You are on the high road to fortune; push forward.
TO GET THE SUN OVER THE FOREYARD, verb. phr. (nautical).—To drink before noon.
See KNIGHT; SHOOT.
