50+ Eye Idioms with meanings and examples

50+ Eye Idioms with meanings and examples

Here are 50 eye idioms with their meanings and example:

All Eyes And Ears
Meaning: Attentive
Example: The team was all eyes and ears as the coach explained the challenges ahead.

Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch something closely.
Example: Please keep an eye on the baby while I make dinner.

All Eyes Are On
Meaning: Watching alertly or attentively.
Example: After the candidate’s strong performance in the first debate, all eyes are on him to see if he will make a mistake this time.

In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly.
Example: The car disappeared in the blink of an eye.

An Eye for an Eye
Meaning: Justice in which reparation or vengeance exactly matches the harm caused to the victim
Example: Negotiations broke down, and the war devolved into an endless eye-for-an-eye cycle of revenge.

Keep an eye peeled
Meaning: Be observant; watch out for something
Example: If you go to the mall, keep an eye peeled for Anita-”she said she’s be there.

See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree.
Example: We see eye to eye on most issues.

Catch Someone’s Eye
Meaning: Attract someone’s attention
Example: I was reading Internet classified ads, and an ad for an old Ford Mustang caught my eye.

See Something/somebody Out of the Corner of Your Eye
Meaning: Use peripheral vision
Example: How did you know I was here? You didn’t even look up! – I saw you out of the corner of my eye.

Turn a blind eye
Meaning: To ignore something intentionally.
Example: The boss turned a blind eye to the employee’s behavior.

Keep your eyes peeled
Meaning: To stay alert and watchful.
Example: Keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious activity.

A sight for sore eyes
Meaning: Something that is good to see after a long absence.
Example: Seeing my parents after a year was a sight for sore eyes.

To be the apple of someone’s eye
Meaning: To be loved and treasured by someone
Example: You are the apple of my eye!

Have an eye for
Meaning: To have a talent or ability to recognize something.
Example: She has an eye for interior design.

Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: To get someone’s attention.
Example: The flashy advertisement caught my eye.

Cry your eyes out
Meaning: To cry uncontrollably.
Example: She cried her eyes out when her pet died.

Look someone in the eye
Meaning: To make direct eye contact.
Example: He couldn’t look his boss in the eye after making a mistake.

Be all eyes
Meaning: To be completely focused on something.
Example: The kids were all eyes watching the magician.

The apple of one’s eye
Meaning: Something or someone that is treasured above all others.
Example: Her daughter is the apple of her eye.

An eye-opener
Meaning: Something that is surprising and informative.
Example: The documentary was an eye-opener to the harsh realities of the meat industry.

A feast for the eyes
Meaning: Something that is visually appealing.
Example: The art gallery was a feast for the eyes.

Have eyes in the back of your head
Meaning: To be very aware of your surroundings.
Example: The teacher seemed to have eyes in the back of her head.

Keep an eye out
Meaning: To watch for something specific.
Example: Keep an eye out for the delivery truck.

Feast your eyes on
Meaning: To look at something with great pleasure.
Example: I could feast my eyes on this view forever.

Be up to your eyes
Meaning: To be very busy.
Example: I’m up to my eyes in work at the moment.

Rolling your eyes
Meaning: A gesture indicating disbelief or annoyance.
Example: She rolled her eyes when her friend made a ridiculous statement.

Turn a discerning eye
Meaning: To examine something closely with a critical eye.
Example: The art critic turned a discerning eye to the new exhibit.

Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: To attract someone’s attention.
Example: The bright lights caught my eye.

Have eyes bigger than your stomach
Meaning: To take more food than you can eat.
Example: She always has eyes bigger than her stomach when it comes to dessert.

See the world through rose-colored glasses
Meaning: To have an overly optimistic view of the world.
Example: He saw the world through rose-colored glasses until he faced a difficult situation.

The eyes are the window to the soul
Meaning: A phrase used to describe the depth of emotion that can be seen through a person’s eyes.
Example: She could tell by his eyes that he was sad.

Can’t take your eyes off
Meaning: To be completely captivated by something.
Example: I couldn’t take my eyes off the sunset.

Be the apple of someone’s eye
Meaning: To be someone’s favorite.
Example: The little girl was the apple of her father’s eye.

Keep an eye on the ball
Meaning: To stay focused on the task at hand.
Example: When playing tennis, it’s important to keep an eye on the ball at all times to ensure you can react quickly and hit it back over the net.

The eyes have it
Meaning: A phrase used to indicate that a majority of people have voted in favor of something.
Example: The eyes have it, the bill has passed.

Eagle eye
Meaning: To have exceptional eyesight or keen observation skills.
Example: The sniper had an eagle eye, spotting his target from a mile away.

All eyes on
Meaning: To have everyone’s attention focused on something or someone.
Example: All eyes were on the bride as she walked down the aisle.

Wink at
Meaning: To ignore or pretend not to notice something.
Example: The principal decided to wink at the students’ behavior during the final week of school.

Turn a blind eye
Meaning: To ignore something intentionally.
Example: The manager turned a blind eye to his employee’s tardiness because he was his friend.

Give someone the evil eye
Meaning: To look at someone with anger or malice.
Example: She gave her ex-boyfriend the evil eye when she saw him with his new girlfriend.

Wandering Eye
Meaning: A tendency to look at and desire women or men other than one’s committed romantic partner
Example: I know Sean has a wandering eye, but I’m sure he’s never cheated on me.

A twinkle in someone’s eye
Meaning: A phrase used to describe the excitement or happiness that can be seen in someone’s eyes.
Example: There was a twinkle in her eye when she talked about her upcoming vacation.

Bat an eye
Meaning: To show a sign of surprise or shock.
Example: He didn’t even bat an eye when the celebrity walked past him.

Black eye
Meaning: A bruise around the eye.
Example: He got a black eye after getting hit in the face with a ball.

Baby Blues
Meaning: Blue eyes.
Example: I know Jason is bad for me, but when I get a look at his baby blues I can’t resist him.

Blue-eyed boy
Meaning: A phrase used to describe someone who is favored or treated with special attention.
Example: He’s the boss’s blue-eyed boy, always getting the best assignments.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Meaning: To be alert and full of energy.
Example: Despite the early morning, the kids were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

A cat’s eye view
Meaning: A low-level perspective of something.
Example: The photograph captured a cat’s eye view of the city skyline.

Cross your eyes
Meaning: To intentionally make your eyes appear crossed.
Example: The kids found it funny to cross their eyes at each other.

Dry eyes
Meaning: A phrase used to indicate that someone is not emotional or moved by something.
Example: Despite the sad movie, she had dry eyes throughout.

Eyes glued to
Meaning: To be completely focused on something.
Example: The audience had their eyes glued to the stage during the play.

A feast for sore eyes
Meaning: Something or someone that is pleasant to see.
Example: The colorful flowers were a feast for sore eyes after a long winter.

Have eyes like a hawk
Meaning: To have exceptional eyesight or observation skills.
Example: The security guard had eyes like a hawk, spotting the thief from across the store.

In someone’s sights
Meaning: To be the target of someone’s attention or anger.
Example: He knew he was in his boss’s sights after missing an important deadline.

Keep your eyes on the prize
Meaning: To stay focused on the goal.
Example: Despite the setbacks, she kept her eyes on the prize and eventually achieved her dream.

Look daggers at
Meaning: To look at someone with anger or hostility.
Example: She looked daggers at her sister after she ate the last slice of cake.

Make eyes at
Meaning: To flirt with someone through eye contact.
Example: He couldn’t help but make eyes at the pretty girl across the room.

On the tip of your tongue
Meaning: To be on the brink of remembering something.
Example: The name of the song was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t quite remember it.

Starry-eyed
Meaning: To be overly optimistic or idealistic.
Example: She looked at him with a starry-eyed expression, dreaming of a future together filled with love and adventure.

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