Eyes help us see the world around us. But in English, the word “eyes” is also used in many idioms. These idioms do not talk about eyes in a body part way. Instead, they have special meanings. Learning these idioms can help us understand people better when they speak or write.
In this article, we will look at some common idioms that include the word “eyes.” You’ll see what they mean and how people use them in everyday life. These phrases can help make your speaking and writing more interesting. Let’s take a closer look at idioms for eyes.
Idioms for Eyes
1. Eyes like a hawk
Meaning: Very good at noticing things
Sample Sentences: My mom has eyes like a hawk and saw the mess right away. / The teacher spotted my cheat sheet with eyes like a hawk.
Other Way to Say: Sharp-eyed / Very watchful
2. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Meaning: People see beauty differently
Sample Sentences: She loves her drawing, even if others don’t. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. / He thinks that rock is special. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Other Way to Say: Everyone sees things in their own way / Personal taste
3. A sight for sore eyes
Meaning: Something or someone pleasant to see
Sample Sentences: After school, my dog is a sight for sore eyes. / The sunny day was a sight for sore eyes after a week of rain.
Other Way to Say: Nice to see / A happy view
4. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very fast
Sample Sentences: The weekend was gone in the blink of an eye. / He finished his snack in the blink of an eye.
Other Way to Say: Super quick / Really fast
5. Eyes glued to something
Meaning: Watching something very closely
Sample Sentences: Her eyes were glued to the screen during the movie. / He had his eyes glued to the comic book.
Other Way to Say: Watching closely / Focused
6. Turn a blind eye
Meaning: Ignore something wrong
Sample Sentences: He turned a blind eye to the trash on the ground. / The referee turned a blind eye to the foul.
Other Way to Say: Pretend not to see / Ignore
7. Catch someone’s eye
Meaning: Get someone’s attention
Sample Sentences: The bright red toy caught my eye. / She waved to catch the teacher’s eye.
Other Way to Say: Get noticed / Stand out
8. All eyes on me
Meaning: Everyone is looking
Sample Sentences: When I tripped, all eyes were on me. / During the show, all eyes were on the main actor.
Other Way to Say: Everyone’s watching / Being stared at
9. Wide-eyed
Meaning: Surprised or amazed
Sample Sentences: She looked wide-eyed at the giant cake. / He was wide-eyed when he saw the magician’s trick.
Other Way to Say: Big-eyed / Very surprised
10. Apple of someone’s eye
Meaning: Someone very special
Sample Sentences: My little sister is the apple of my dad’s eye. / He’s the apple of his grandma’s eye.
Other Way to Say: Favorite person / Very loved
11. Keep an eye on
Meaning: Watch or take care of something
Sample Sentences: Please keep an eye on my backpack. / I kept an eye on the oven so the cookies didn’t burn.
Other Way to Say: Watch closely / Look after
12. Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
Meaning: Trick someone
Sample Sentences: He tried to pull the wool over my eyes by hiding the broken vase. / Don’t let your brother pull the wool over your eyes.
Other Way to Say: Fool someone / Trick someone
13. Open someone’s eyes
Meaning: Help someone understand something new
Sample Sentences: The story opened my eyes to how others live. / That movie really opened her eyes to kindness.
Other Way to Say: Help understand / Teach something new
14. The eyes are the windows to the soul
Meaning: You can understand feelings by looking in someone’s eyes
Sample Sentences: Her eyes showed she was sad, even when she smiled. / You can see he’s happy by his eyes they sparkle.
Other Way to Say: Eyes show emotion / Look into feelings
15. With eyes wide open
Meaning: Knowing the truth or facts
Sample Sentences: She went into the game with eyes wide open, knowing it would be hard. / He joined the team with eyes wide open.
Other Way to Say: Fully aware / Know what’s happening
16. Look someone in the eye
Meaning: Be honest or brave
Sample Sentences: I looked him in the eye and told the truth. / She couldn’t look her mom in the eye after lying.
Other Way to Say: Be truthful / Be brave
17. Big-eyed
Meaning: Very amazed or excited
Sample Sentences: He was big-eyed at the new video game. / The kids were big-eyed at the huge cake.
Other Way to Say: Very excited / Amazed
18. A watchful eye
Meaning: Careful and alert attention
Sample Sentences: The lifeguard kept a watchful eye on the swimmers. / Dad always has a watchful eye on the grill.
Other Way to Say: Careful view / Looking out
19. Eyes like saucers
Meaning: Very wide eyes from surprise or fear
Sample Sentences: Her eyes were like saucers when she saw the spider. / He had eyes like saucers during the thunderstorm.
Other Way to Say: Very round eyes / Super surprised
20. In the public eye
Meaning: Seen or watched by many people
Sample Sentences: The mayor is always in the public eye. / Celebrities are in the public eye all the time.
Other Way to Say: Well-known / Often seen
21. The evil eye
Meaning: A mean or angry look
Sample Sentences: She gave me the evil eye when I took her seat. / He shot the evil eye after losing the game.
Other Way to Say: Angry stare / Mean look
22. Cast your eyes
Meaning: Look at something
Sample Sentences: Cast your eyes over the paper before turning it in. / He cast his eyes at the new toy.
Other Way to Say: Look at / Glance at
23. Feast your eyes on
Meaning: Look at something beautiful
Sample Sentences: Feast your eyes on this cake! / He said, “Feast your eyes on the fireworks.”
Other Way to Say: Take a good look / Enjoy the view
24. Eyes peeled
Meaning: Watch carefully
Sample Sentences: Keep your eyes peeled for the school bus. / I kept my eyes peeled for my lost pencil.
Other Way to Say: Look out / Watch closely
25. Green-eyed monster
Meaning: Jealousy
Sample Sentences: She felt the green-eyed monster when her friend got a new bike. / The green-eyed monster showed when he saw his brother’s gift.
Other Way to Say: Feeling jealous / Envy
26. Starry-eyed
Meaning: Dreamy or hopeful
Sample Sentences: She was starry-eyed about going to the concert. / He looked starry-eyed when thinking about his big dream.
Other Way to Say: Dreamy / Full of hope
27. Turn your eyes away
Meaning: Stop looking
Sample Sentences: He turned his eyes away from the scary part of the movie. / She turned her eyes away from the mess.
Other Way to Say: Look away / Avoid looking
28. See eye to eye
Meaning: Agree with someone
Sample Sentences: We don’t see eye to eye about which movie to watch. / They finally saw eye to eye on the project.
Other Way to Say: Agree / Feel the same
29. Bat an eye
Meaning: Show surprise or emotion
Sample Sentences: He didn’t bat an eye at the loud noise. / She didn’t bat an eye when her name was called.
Other Way to Say: Didn’t react / Stayed calm
30. In your mind’s eye
Meaning: Imagine it
Sample Sentences: In my mind’s eye, I see the perfect treehouse. / She drew what she saw in her mind’s eye.
Other Way to Say: Imagine / Picture it
31. Eye of the storm
Meaning: A calm spot in the middle of trouble
Sample Sentences: The living room was the eye of the storm during the party. / I felt like I was in the eye of the storm with all the noise around me.
Other Way to Say: Calm in chaos / Quiet in trouble
32. Eyes in the back of your head
Meaning: Seeming to notice everything
Sample Sentences: My teacher has eyes in the back of her head she saw me whisper! / Moms have eyes in the back of their heads.
Other Way to Say: Always aware / Notices everything
33. More than meets the eye
Meaning: There’s something hidden or extra
Sample Sentences: That puzzle is more than meets the eye. / The old book was more than meets the eye it had a hidden map.
Other Way to Say: A secret / Something extra
34. Make eyes at
Meaning: Look at someone with love or interest
Sample Sentences: The puppy made eyes at me for a snack. / She kept making eyes at the new student.
Other Way to Say: Stare sweetly / Flirty look
35. Eyes on the prize
Meaning: Stay focused on a goal
Sample Sentences: Keep your eyes on the prize practice every day. / He kept his eyes on the prize and won the race.
Other Way to Say: Stay focused / Work for it
36. A bird’s-eye view
Meaning: A look from high above
Sample Sentences: We had a bird’s-eye view of the parade from the balcony. / The map gave us a bird’s-eye view of the park.
Other Way to Say: Top view / View from above
37. Give someone the eye
Meaning: Look at someone in a special or flirty way
Sample Sentences: She gave him the eye across the lunchroom. / He gave her the eye during the school play.
Other Way to Say: Flirty look / Special glance
38. Keep your eyes open
Meaning: Be alert
Sample Sentences: Keep your eyes open for the lost glove. / I kept my eyes open for the teacher’s signal.
Other Way to Say: Be careful / Stay aware
39. See something with fresh eyes
Meaning: Notice something in a new way
Sample Sentences: After the break, I saw the problem with fresh eyes. / She saw her drawing with fresh eyes and fixed it.
Other Way to Say: New look / Clearer view
40. Look down your nose at
Meaning: Act like you are better than others
Sample Sentences: Don’t look down your nose at someone’s lunch. / He looked down his nose at my messy desk.
Other Way to Say: Act rude / Be stuck-up
41. The naked eye
Meaning: Without using tools like glasses or a telescope
Sample Sentences: The moon was easy to see with the naked eye. / That bug is too small to see with the naked eye.
Other Way to Say: Plain sight / No help
42. Out of the corner of your eye
Meaning: Notice something without looking straight at it
Sample Sentences: I saw him out of the corner of my eye. / She spotted the toy out of the corner of her eye.
Other Way to Say: Side glance / Quick peek
43. Have your eye on something
Meaning: Want or plan to get something
Sample Sentences: I have my eye on that new bike. / He has his eye on the prize in the contest.
Other Way to Say: Want / Wish for
44. Set eyes on
Meaning: To see something
Sample Sentences: I first set eyes on that puppy last week. / She smiled when she set eyes on the surprise cake.
Other Way to Say: See / Spot
45. Raise eyebrows
Meaning: Surprise or shock people
Sample Sentences: His loud joke raised eyebrows in class. / Wearing pajamas to the store raised a few eyebrows.
Other Way to Say: Surprised look / Shock people
46. Close your eyes to
Meaning: Pretend not to see or notice
Sample Sentences: Don’t close your eyes to bullying. / He closed his eyes to the mess in his room.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Look away
47. In the eyes of
Meaning: From someone’s view or opinion
Sample Sentences: In the eyes of my teacher, I did a great job. / In her eyes, the book was perfect.
Other Way to Say: According to / What someone thinks
48. Up to your eyeballs
Meaning: Very busy or full of something
Sample Sentences: I’m up to my eyeballs in homework. / She’s up to her eyeballs in chores today.
Other Way to Say: Very busy / Full of work
49. Make your eyes pop
Meaning: Very surprising or amazing
Sample Sentences: That magic trick made my eyes pop! / The giant cake made his eyes pop.
Other Way to Say: Really wowed / Amazed
50. Only have eyes for
Meaning: Like or focus on just one person or thing
Sample Sentences: He only has eyes for chocolate ice cream. / She only has eyes for her best friend.
Other Way to Say: Only care about / Really love
51. Turn your eyes upward
Meaning: Look up, sometimes with hope
Sample Sentences: She turned her eyes upward to find the stars. / He turned his eyes upward to dream big.
Other Way to Say: Look up / Hopeful gaze
52. A twinkle in the eye
Meaning: A sign of happiness or a fun idea
Sample Sentences: Grandpa had a twinkle in his eye when telling stories. / She had a twinkle in her eye before the surprise.
Other Way to Say: Happy eyes / Spark of fun
53. Eyes tell the truth
Meaning: You can see true feelings in someone’s eyes
Sample Sentences: He said he was okay, but his eyes told the truth. / Her eyes told the truth she was excited.
Other Way to Say: Eyes show feelings / Honest look
54. Under your nose and in your eyes
Meaning: Something was right in front of you
Sample Sentences: The pencil was under my nose and in my eyes the whole time! / Her homework was right there under her nose and in her eyes.
Other Way to Say: Right in front / Easy to see
55. Cross your eyes
Meaning: Move your eyes to look silly or funny
Sample Sentences: He crossed his eyes to make his sister laugh. / She crossed her eyes during the silly photo.
Other Way to Say: Make silly face / Goofy eyes
Multiple Choice Questions: Idioms for Eyes
1. What does “apple of my eye” mean?
A. Something you eat
B. Someone you care about a lot
C. Something that looks shiny
2. If your mom says, “Keep an eye on your little sister,” what does she want you to do?
A. Teach her something
B. Watch her closely
C. Give her a gift
3. What does “in the blink of an eye” mean?
A. Slowly and carefully
B. Very quickly
C. While blinking
4. If someone “cried their eyes out,” how did they feel?
A. Happy
B. Tired
C. Very sad
5. When someone says “turn a blind eye,” what are they doing?
A. Looking at everything
B. Pretending not to see something wrong
C. Covering their eyes
6. What does “eyes in the back of your head” mean?
A. Being silly
B. Being able to see behind you
C. Always knowing what’s going on
7. If your teacher tells you to “keep your eyes peeled,” what should you do?
A. Close your eyes
B. Look around carefully
C. Eat a snack
8. What does “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” mean?
A. Only beautiful people can see well
B. Everyone sees beauty differently
C. Eyes can’t see beauty
9. If a person says “he gave me the evil eye,” what does that mean?
A. He smiled nicely
B. He looked angry or mean
C. He winked
10. What does “see eye to eye” mean?
A. To agree
B. To be the same height
C. To stand close together
11. When someone has “stars in their eyes,” how do they feel?
A. Bored
B. Tired
C. Dreamy or excited
12. What does “pull the wool over someone’s eyes” mean?
A. Cover their eyes
B. Trick or fool them
C. Give them a gift
Answer Key
- B. Someone you care about a lot
- B. Watch her closely
- B. Very quickly
- C. Very sad
- B. Pretending not to see something wrong
- C. Always knowing what’s going on
- B. Look around carefully
- B. Everyone sees beauty differently
- B. He looked angry or mean
- A. To agree
- C. Dreamy or excited
- B. Trick or fool them
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
You understand these eye idioms very well. Great job! - 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms.
You’re doing great just a little more practice will help! - 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
You’re learning. Try reviewing a few more examples. - 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together.
That’s okay! Learning takes time. Try reading through the meanings again.
Conclusion
Idioms about eyes help us understand language in a fun and simple way. They don’t always mean what they say, but they add meaning to how we talk and write.
By learning these idioms, you can better understand stories, conversations, and even jokes. Keep practicing, and you’ll get more comfortable using them in everyday life.
