Sayings, Maxims, and Proverbs About Eyes

An extreme close up of a smiling man's eye
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The following idioms and expressions use the noun eye. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help with these common idiomatic expressions.

Apple of Someone's Eye

The expression apple of my eye is often used when referring to family members, or those who are closest to us to mean that they are someone's favorite person or object.

Jennifer is the apple of her father's eye. He's so proud of her.
My Mercedes is the apple of my eye.

Bird's-eye View

Bird's-eye view refers to a viewpoint from which one can see a wide area. This idiom is often used figuratively to mean that someone can see a situation from a wider perspective.

His bird's-eye view of the market will help us beat our competitors.
The hotel provides a lovely bird's-eye view over the bay.

Catch Someone's Eye

Catch someone's eye indicates that someone or something has gained attention.

I caught the server's eye. He'll be with us shortly.
That house on Elm street certainly caught my eye. Should we talk a look inside?

Cry One's Eyes Out

Crying one's eyes out is an idiom used for very sad events in one's life. It means to cry for a very long time in a desperate manner such as at the loss of a loved one.

I think you just need to cry your eyes out to get it all out of your system.
Maria's crying her eyes out. I wonder what happened?

Eagle Eye

Someone with an eagle eye has the ability to see important details and notice mistakes.

Show it to the editor. She has an eagle eye and will catch any mistake.
Luckily, Tom's eagle eye saw the discounted sweater I was looking for.

Feast One's Eyes on Something

If you feast your eyes on something, you enjoy the sight of something. This idiom is often used to boast about a possession of which you are very proud.

Feast your eyes on my new watch. Isn't it beautiful?!
I can't stop feasting my eyes on my new car.

Get a Black Eye

If you get a black eye, you receive a bruise from something around the eye. This idiom can also be used figuratively to mean to suffer a defeat.

I got a black eye when I bumped into the door.
I guess we got a black eye trying to compete with that big corporation.

Get Stars in One's Eyes

Some young people get stars in their eyes because they become obsessed about show business.

Ever since Janet got the lead role in the high school play, she's got stars in her eyes.
Just because you are handsome doesn't mean you need to get stars in your eyes.

Give Someone the Eye

People will run when you give them the eye because you look at someone in an accusatory or disapproving manner.

The teacher was giving me the eye during the test. I guess he thought I might cheat.
Don't give me the eye! You're the one who caused this mess.

Have Eyes Bigger than Your Stomach

Unfortunately, it's easy to put on weight if you have eyes bigger than your stomach because you desire more food than you can eat.

Little children tend to have eyes bigger than their stomachs.
I remember one crazy night when my best friend had eyes bigger than his stomach. He ordered more than six different meals!

Have Eyes in the Back of One's Head

If you have eyes in the back of your head, you are be able to see what is going on. This can be frustrating because others might think they are being secretive and are not noticed.

My mom had eyes in the back of her head. I never got away with anything.
Do you have eyes in the back of your head? How did you notice that?

Hit the Bull's-eye

When a person hits the bull's-eye, they hit the center of the target. This expression is also used figuratively to express an impressive result.

I think we hit the bull's-eye with our new product line.
You've hit the bull's-eye by getting that job.

In the Public Eye

If you are in the public eye, you are in a position where the public can observe your actions, so be very careful!

You'll be in the public eye if you take that job.
Hollywood actors are all in the public eye.

Keep One's Eye on the Ball

People who can keep their eye on the ball remain concentrated, especially in a work situation.

You need to keep your eye on the ball, no matter how long it takes, to succeed.
His ability to keep his eye on the ball assured his eventual success.

Turn a Blind Eye to Someone or Something

Unfortunately, some people turn a blind eye to someone and show that they are willingly to ignore something wrong.

Just turn a blind eye to Ted. He'll never change.
I'm going to turn a blind eye to that problem for the moment.

Without Batting an Eye

Most parents help their children without batting an eye because they do it without hesitation.

He purchased the $2 million home without batting an eye.
John made the decision without batting an eye.

Idioms With "Eye" Quiz

FIll in the gaps with a word to complete these sentences with expressions using eye:

  1. Our boss has an ______ eye because he catches mistakes that others miss.
  2. Let's take a ______ view of this situation to make sure we don't miss anything.
  3. It's surprising how many young people get ______ in their eyes and move to Hollywood to start a career.
  4. I ordered this cake, but it's too much. I'm afraid I have eyes that are bigger than my ______.
  5. My daughter is the ______ of my eye.
  6. I think you hit the ______ when you made that investment. Today, you are a millionaire!
  7. She gave her daughter $500 without ______ an eye because she trusts her to spend it wisely.
  8. Would you please stop giving me the ______! You're making me nervous!
  9. I got a ______ eye when I fell last week.
  10. Politicians are always in the ______ eye. 

Answers

  1. eagle
  2. bird's-eye
  3. stars
  4. stomach
  5. apple
  6. bull's-eye
  7. batting
  8. eye
  9. black
  10. public
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Your Citation
Beare, Kenneth. "Sayings, Maxims, and Proverbs About Eyes." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/eye-idioms-and-expressions-1209937. Beare, Kenneth. (2020, August 26). Sayings, Maxims, and Proverbs About Eyes. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/eye-idioms-and-expressions-1209937 Beare, Kenneth. "Sayings, Maxims, and Proverbs About Eyes." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/eye-idioms-and-expressions-1209937 (accessed March 19, 2024).