60+ Common Idioms For Eyes With Meanings And Examples

Eyes play a powerful role in both how we see the world and how we express ourselves through language. In English, the word “eye” appears in many idioms that go far beyond literal vision, helping us describe attention, emotion, judgment, and understanding. These eye idioms add color and personality to everyday speech, making conversations more vivid and expressive. From watching something carefully to showing strong interest or awareness, such expressions are widely used in casual talk, literature, and professional settings. Learning idioms for eyes not only improves vocabulary but also deepens understanding of context.

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What are Idioms for Eyes?

Idioms for eyes are figurative expressions in English that use the word “eye” to describe attention, awareness, emotions, opinions, or ways of seeing and understanding things. Instead of referring only to physical sight, these idioms convey deeper meanings such as watching closely, noticing details, showing interest, or forming judgments. Commonly used in daily conversations, books, and media, eye idioms help make language more expressive and engaging.

Everyday Used Idioms for Eyes

Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch someone or something carefully
Example: Please keep an eye on the kids while I’m away.
Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: To attract attention
Example: That bright dress caught everyone’s eye.
Turn a blind eye
Meaning: To ignore something deliberately
Example: The teacher turned a blind eye to the mistake.
In the public eye
Meaning: Well known or famous
Example: Celebrities live their lives in the public eye.
All eyes on
Meaning: Everyone is watching
Example: All eyes were on her during the presentation.
See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree
Example: They don’t always see eye to eye.
Open someone’s eyes
Meaning: To make someone aware of the truth
Example: The experience opened his eyes.
Close one’s eyes to
Meaning: To ignore reality
Example: She closed her eyes to the problem.
Easy on the eyes
Meaning: Pleasant to look at
Example: The new design is easy on the eyes.
Have an eye for
Meaning: To be good at noticing something
Example: She has an eye for detail.
Keep one’s eyes peeled
Meaning: To watch carefully
Example: Keep your eyes peeled for the sign.
In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly
Example: The moment passed in the blink of an eye.
With one’s eyes open
Meaning: Fully aware
Example: He entered the deal with his eyes open.
Eye-opener
Meaning: Something surprising or revealing
Example: The trip was a real eye-opener.
Raise eyebrows
Meaning: To cause surprise or suspicion
Example: His comment raised eyebrows.
Look someone in the eye
Meaning: To face someone honestly
Example: He couldn’t look her in the eye.
More than meets the eye
Meaning: Not as simple as it appears
Example: The case had more than meets the eye.
Under someone’s eye
Meaning: Being watched
Example: The interns work under the manager’s eye.
Eyes glued to
Meaning: Watching attentively
Example: Her eyes were glued to the screen.
A sight for sore eyes
Meaning: Someone pleasant to see
Example: You’re a sight for sore eyes!
Not believe one’s eyes
Meaning: Be very surprised
Example: I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: To trick someone
Example: He tried to pull the wool over my eyes.
Keep one eye on
Meaning: Watch while doing something else
Example: Keep one eye on the pot.
Eye to eye
Meaning: In agreement
Example: They finally met eye to eye.
In someone’s eyes
Meaning: In someone’s opinion
Example: In her eyes, honesty matters most.
Have eyes in the back of one’s head
Meaning: Notice everything
Example: Teachers seem to have eyes in the back of their heads.
Feast one’s eyes on
Meaning: Enjoy looking at something
Example: We feasted our eyes on the artwork.
Keep an eye out
Meaning: Watch for something
Example: Keep an eye out for my call.
Watchful eye
Meaning: Careful observation
Example: The guard kept a watchful eye.
Eye candy
Meaning: Attractive but not serious
Example: The movie was pure eye candy.
Have one’s eye on
Meaning: Want or plan to get something
Example: She has her eye on that job.
Cast an eye over
Meaning: Look quickly
Example: He cast an eye over the report.
Bat an eye
Meaning: Show reaction
Example: She didn’t bat an eye.
Eye someone up
Meaning: Look at someone with interest
Example: He was eyeing her up.
In plain sight
Meaning: Clearly visible
Example: The keys were in plain sight.
Give someone the evil eye
Meaning: Look angrily
Example: She gave him the evil eye.
Eyes bigger than one’s stomach
Meaning: Take more than one can handle
Example: His eyes were bigger than his stomach.
Eye of the storm
Meaning: Calm center of chaos
Example: She stayed calm in the eye of the storm.
Out of the corner of one’s eye
Meaning: Seeing something indirectly
Example: I saw him out of the corner of my eye.
See with one’s own eyes
Meaning: Witness personally
Example: I saw it with my own eyes.
Have stars in one’s eyes
Meaning: Be overly hopeful
Example: He has stars in his eyes.
Keep one’s eyes shut
Meaning: Ignore something
Example: He kept his eyes shut to criticism.
Eye for an eye
Meaning: Revenge equally
Example: They believe in an eye for an eye.
Wide-eyed
Meaning: Innocent or amazed
Example: The child stared wide-eyed.
Look down one’s nose at
Meaning: Think you’re superior
Example: She looks down her nose at others.
One’s eyes light up
Meaning: Show excitement
Example: His eyes lit up at the news.
Set eyes on
Meaning: See for the first time
Example: I’ve never set eyes on it.
Be all eyes
Meaning: Watch attentively
Example: The audience was all eyes.
In the eye of the beholder
Meaning: Beauty is subjective
Example: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Eye to eye contact
Meaning: Direct look
Example: He avoided eye-to-eye contact.

Unique & Rare Idioms for Eyes

See through someone
Meaning: Detect lies or motives
Example: She saw through his excuses.
Eagle-eyed
Meaning: Very observant
Example: The editor was eagle-eyed.
Shut one’s eyes to reality
Meaning: Deny truth
Example: He shut his eyes to reality.
Green-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy
Example: Jealousy is the green-eyed monster.
Piercing eyes
Meaning: Intense gaze
Example: She had piercing eyes.
Eye-watering
Meaning: Extremely intense
Example: The price was eye-watering.
Sleep with one eye open
Meaning: Stay alert
Example: He sleeps with one eye open.
Hawk-eyed
Meaning: Sharp vision
Example: The guard was hawk-eyed.
See eye to eye with fate
Meaning: Accept destiny
Example: She learned to see eye to eye with fate.
Cold-eyed
Meaning: Unemotional
Example: He made a cold-eyed decision.

Eye Idioms in Books & Media

Turn a blind eye
Meaning: Ignore wrongdoing
Example: Used in political dramas.
In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Instantly
Example: Common in action movies.
More than meets the eye
Meaning: Hidden truth
Example: Often in mystery novels.
All eyes on me
Meaning: Full attention
Example: Lyrics in songs and films.
Eye of the storm
Meaning: Calm amid chaos
Example: Used in novels and news.
Green-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy
Example: Shakespeare’s Othello.
Eagle-eyed detective
Meaning: Observant investigator
Example: Crime novels.
Bat an eye
Meaning: React
Example: Dialogue in dramas.
Keep an eye on
Meaning: Watch carefully
Example: Family movies.
In the public eye
Meaning: Famous
Example: Biographies and interviews.

Synonyms & Related Words for Eyes

Synonym	Meaning
Vision	The ability to see or perceive things.
Sight	The power or act of seeing.
Gaze	A steady or intent look.
Glance	A quick or brief look.
Stare	To look fixedly for a long time.
Peek	To look quickly or secretly.
Glimpse	A momentary view.
Look	To direct one’s eyes toward something.
Observation	The act of watching carefully.
Perception	Understanding or awareness gained through sight.

Tips for Using Eye Idioms in Writing & Speaking

Use eye idioms to show attention or awareness
Idioms like keep an eye on or all eyes on are perfect for expressing focus without sounding repetitive.
Match the idiom to the tone
Some eye idioms are casual (easy on the eyes), while others are serious (turn a blind eye). Choose wisely.
Avoid mixing similar idioms
Using too many eye-related idioms together can feel cluttered. Space them out for clarity.
Use eye idioms to describe emotions subtly
Idioms can hint at emotions like suspicion, excitement, or jealousy without stating them directly.
Practice with real-life examples
Apply eye idioms when talking about work, relationships, or observations to make them feel natural.

You May Also Like: Idioms for Friendship

Idioms Quiz for Eyes

What does “keep an eye on” mean?
A) Ignore something
B) Watch carefully
C) Close your eyes
D) Forget about it
Answer: B
“Turn a blind eye” means to:
A) Look closely
B) Be surprised
C) Ignore deliberately
D) Watch secretly
Answer: C
If something happens “in the blink of an eye,” it happens:
A) Slowly
B) Carefully
C) Suddenly and quickly
D) Repeatedly
Answer: C
“See eye to eye” means:
A) Look at each other
B) Disagree strongly
C) Have the same opinion
D) Avoid discussion
Answer: C
A “sight for sore eyes” refers to:
A) Something unpleasant
B) Someone annoying
C) Someone pleasant to see
D) Something surprising
Answer: C
“More than meets the eye” suggests that something is:
A) Very obvious
B) Simple
C) Complicated or hidden
D) Beautiful
Answer: C
If someone is “all eyes,” they are:
A) Angry
B) Distracted
C) Paying full attention
D) Confused
Answer: C
“Have an eye for detail” means:
A) Miss small things
B) Notice small details easily
C) Be careless
D) Ignore mistakes
Answer: B
“Pull the wool over someone’s eyes” means:
A) Help someone
B) Teach someone
C) Trick someone
D) Protect someone
Answer: C
“In the public eye” refers to someone who is:
A) Hiding
B) Unknown
C) Famous or well-known
D) Shy
Answer: C

FAQs

Idioms for eyes are figurative expressions that use the word eye to convey meanings related to attention, perception, emotion, or understanding.

They make communication more vivid and help express ideas and emotions in a natural and relatable way.

Yes, many eye idioms like keep an eye on and see eye to eye are commonly used in daily speech.

They may seem tricky at first, but learning their meanings and usage makes them easy and fun to use.

Some eye idioms are informal, but many can be used in professional or creative writing when appropriate.

Literal meaning refers to the physical organ, while idiomatic meaning refers to attention, opinion, or understanding.

Conclusion

Idioms for eyes play an important role in making English more expressive, engaging, and natural. These phrases go far beyond physical sight, helping us describe attention, awareness, emotions, opinions, and judgment in everyday situations. From casual conversations to books, movies, and professional communication, eye idioms are widely used and easily recognized. By understanding and practicing these expressions, learners can improve their vocabulary, sound more fluent, and better understand the hidden meanings in spoken and written English.