The human eye isn’t just vital for seeing the world; it also features prominently in many expressions and idioms in the English language. These phrases add color and depth to our conversations, illustrating complex emotions and situations through the simple metaphor of seeing or not seeing. Here are 20 eye-related idioms that are both insightful and widely used, complete with succinct meanings and examples to help you understand and use them effectively.
Idioms Using the Word Eye
1. Apple of my eye
Meaning: Someone very cherished.
Example: His daughter is the apple of his eye.
2. Turn a blind eye
Meaning: Intentionally ignore something.
Example: He turned a blind eye to the chaos.
3. Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: Attract someone’s attention.
Example: The vibrant painting caught my eye.
4. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly.
Example: The thief was gone in the blink of an eye.
5. Eye for an eye
Meaning: Revenge or retribution.
Example: He believes in an eye for an eye.
6. See eye to eye
Meaning: Agree.
Example: We rarely see eye to eye on politics.
7. Eye-opener
Meaning: Something that reveals or enlightens.
Example: The documentary was a real eye-opener.
8. Keep an eye on
Meaning: Watch or monitor.
Example: Keep an eye on the stove.
9. Have an eye for
Meaning: Have good judgment or taste.
Example: She has an eye for detail.
10. Cry one’s eyes out
Meaning: Cry a lot.
Example: She cried her eyes out at the movie.
11. More than meets the eye
Meaning: More complex than it appears.
Example: There’s more to this puzzle than meets the eye.
12. With an eye to
Meaning: With a view or hope of.
Example: He renovated the house with an eye to selling it.
13. Up to one’s eyes
Meaning: Extremely busy.
Example: I’m up to my eyes in work.
14. Eyes in the back of one’s head
Meaning: Aware of everything around you.
Example: You need eyes in the back of your head with toddlers around.
15. Bird’s eye view
Meaning: A view from above.
Example: We had a bird’s eye view from the tower.
16. Run one’s eye over
Meaning: Quickly look at something.
Example: Run your eye over the report before we submit it.
17. Easy on the eyes
Meaning: Attractive.
Example: The new teacher is quite easy on the eyes.
18. Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: Deceive someone.
Example: He tried to pull the wool over her eyes.
19. Eye-catching
Meaning: Very attractive or noticeable.
Example: The display was eye-catching.
20. My eyes are bigger than my stomach
Meaning: Took more food than one can eat.
Example: I can’t finish this; my eyes were bigger than my stomach.
