see stars

present singular third person sees stars · participle present seeing stars · past saw stars · participle past seen stars

1. idiomaticTo experience apparent flashing lights in one's field of vision, especially after receiving a blow to the head.

   Malcolm hit his head and fell to the floor, seeing stars.

   1995 September 25, Michael Crichton, “Arts & Media: Excerpt from Jurassic Park: The Lost World”, in Time

   2 more examples

   Of course they bumped their heads smartly together, saw stars, and both came up flushed and laughing, without the ball, to resume their seats, wishing they had not left them.

   1868, Louisa May Alcott, chapter 43, in Little Women

   During his 13-year career as a game-changing NFL linebacker, Lawrence Taylor hit opponents so hard he often made them see stars.

   2009 February 9, William C. Rhoden, “A Hall of Fame Linebacker Turns 50”, in New York Times, retrieved 26 Sep 2010

2. figurativelyTo be reeling immediately after a sudden misfortune analogous to a blow.