To make daylight shine through a person, i.e., with a bullet-hole or a sword-thrust.
1774. [He] drew forth a Sword declaring he would make Daylight shine thro’ ’em, but he would carry his Point.—Letter from Duxbury, Feb. 5: Boston Gazette, Feb. 14.
1793. In the language of the streets, daylight is let into him.—A. Young, ‘Example of France,’ p. 172. (N.E.D.)
1825. If I ever meet that man again in this, or any other country, he or I shall have daylight shine through us.—J. K. Paulding, ‘John Bull in America,’ p. 186 (N.Y.).
