seeing stars

Verb

see stars (third-person singular simple present sees stars, present participle seeing stars, simple past saw stars, past participle seen stars)

1. (idiomatic) To experience apparent flashing lights in one's field of vision, especially after receiving a blow to the head.
   • 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
2. (figuratively) To be reeling immediately after a sudden misfortune analogous to a blow.