Definition

1. Noun:

   • The light of the Moon: The natural, reflected sunlight that illuminates the Earth at night, coming from the Moon.

2. Verb:

   • To work a second job, usually secretly or outside of regular working hours: To have an additional, often undeclared, job, typically at night or on weekends, in addition to one's primary employment.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The path was visible in the bright moonlight.
  • They took a romantic walk in the moonlight.

• Verb:

  • To make ends meet, the teacher had to moonlight as a waiter on weekends.
  • It is illegal for some government employees to moonlight in certain industries.

Advanced Usage

• "By moonlight": Illuminated by or occurring under the light of the moon.

  • The garden looked magical by moonlight.

• "Moonlight flit" (British English, dated/informal): A hurried departure at night, especially to avoid paying rent or debts.

  • They did a moonlight flit, leaving all their furniture behind.

Variants and Related Words

• Moonlit (adjective): Lit by the moon.
  • They walked along the moonlit beach.

Synonyms

• Noun: Moonshine, lunar light.
• Verb: Have a side job, work on the side.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• "To moonlight as": To work a second job in the capacity of a specific role.
  • The police officer moonlights as a security consultant.

Related Idioms

• "Do a moonlight flit": (Idiom, chiefly British) To leave a place secretly at night, especially to avoid paying money that is owed.
  • The tenants did a moonlight flit, owing three months' rent.

Noun

1. the light of the Moon
   • moonlight is the smuggler's enemy
   • the Moon was bright enough to read by

Verb

1. work a second job, usually after hours
   • The law student is moonlighting as a taxi driver