reflect on
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Related to reflect on: come off, stick with, in line with, reflect upon
reflect (back) (up)on someone or something
to remember or think about someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) When I reflect back on the years I spent with my parents, I think I had a good childhood. I like to reflect on my great-grandmother.
See also: on, reflect
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
reflect on something also reflect upon something
to think seriously about something Her essay invites the reader to reflect on the importance of art in people's lives.
See also: on, reflect
reflect on somebody/something
to influence the reputation of a person, group, or organization The outstanding work of our scientists reflects well on the entire university. If someone on our staff does a bad job, it reflects badly on all of us.
Usage notes: always used with an adverb and said of both good and bad influences on a reputation
See also: on, reflect
Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003. Reproduced with permission.
reflect on
1. Consider or think carefully about, as in She reflected on her country's role in history. [c. 1600] A closely related phrase is on due reflection, meaning "after careful consideration." For example, On due reflection I decided to vote for the incumbent.
2. reflect on one. Give evidence of one's qualities, as in The hasty preparation of this report will reflect on you. [Second half of 1600s]