definition of 

eye

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noun [countable]  /aɪ/ 

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singular	eye
plural	eyes

phrases

• all eyes are on

  used for saying that everyone is paying attention to a particular person, event, or situation

  All eyes were on Carla as she completed her final dive.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: attention, regard, focused, alert, attentive... more

• be up to your eyes in something

  informal
  to have a very large amount of something to do or deal with

  I can’t come out tonight. I’m up to my eyes in schoolwork.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: run around, rush around, juggle, pack in, immerse yourself in something... more

• can’t take your eyes off

  to be unable to stop looking at someone or something that is attractive, surprising, or interesting

  The first time we met, we couldn’t take our eyes off each other.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: deal in, wake up, have something on the brain, be big on something, be struck by/with something... more

• an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth)

  the idea that someone who has harmed another person should be punished by having the same thing done to them

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: revenge, vengeance, retribution, retaliation, reprisal... more

• someone’s eyes are bigger than their stomach/belly

  informal
  used for saying that someone has taken more food than they can eat

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: more

• someone’s eyes meet

  if two people’s eyes meet, they look at each other and have the same feeling or thought

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: more

• for your eyes only

  used for saying that only one person is allowed to see a document, letter etc

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: Dear, postscript, love, herewith, dearest... more

• give someone the eye

  informal
  to look at someone in a way that shows you are sexually attracted to them

  You see that guy over there – I’m pretty sure he was giving me the eye.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: ask out, flirt, chat up, pair off, chase... more

• have an eye for

  1. 1

     to have a natural ability for seeing or finding something

     Proofreaders need to have a good eye for detail.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: be able to do something, have a flair for something, have a genius for (doing) something, be in practice, be a past master at doing something... more
  2. 2

     to consider a particular type of person sexually attractive

     He’s always had an eye for redheads.

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: on the pull, arouse, desire, excite, want... more

• have an eye for/to the main chance

  British
  to be ready to use any possible opportunity to succeed

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: stand by, brace, steel yourself, all systems go, be ripe for something... more

• have an eye to something

  to be considering something for the future

  It is clear that the novelist has an eye to a Hollywood adaptation.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: intend, aim, plan on, mean, start out... more

• have eyes in the back of your head

  informal
  to notice everything that is happening around you

  Don’t try anything funny, I’ve got eyes in the back of my head.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: notice, recognize, observe, identify, spot... more

• have your eye on someone

  1. 1

     to be considering trying to start a sexual or romantic relationship with someone

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: ask out, flirt, chat up, pair off, chase... more
  2. 2

     to consider someone suitable for a particular job, position, or activity

     Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: want, wish, hope, look for, long... more

• have your eye on something

  to have seen something and want to have it or buy it

  I’ve got my eye on a new DVD player.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: want, wish, hope, look for, long... more

• have/keep your eye on someone

  to be watching someone carefully, especially because you think they are going to do something wrong

  I’ve got my eye on you Sarah. Any more trouble and you’re out.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: more

• have/keep your eye on something

  to keep looking at something, especially to avoid making a mistake

  It’s important to keep your eye on the ball at all times.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: look around, look at, look, check on, examine... more

• have one eye on

  to keep looking at or paying attention to someone or something while you are doing something else

  I had one eye on the clock the whole time.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: concentrate, focus, listen, turn to, pay attention... more

• in the eye of the storm

  in the middle of a difficult situation

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: pressed, oppressed, deadlocked, stuck, beleaguered... more

• in someone’s eyes

  according to what someone thinks or feels

  In his mother’s eyes, the boy can do no wrong.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: according to, officially, in someone’s opinion, by/from all accounts, officially... more

• in the eyes of the law/world etc

  according to the law, what other countries believe is right etc

  In the eyes of the law, theft is a less serious crime than handling stolen goods.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: according to, under, by, on (someone’s/something’s) merit, depending on... more

• in front of someone’s (very) eyes

  or before someone’s (very) eyes

  in a place where someone can clearly see something

  It happened right in front of my eyes.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: obvious, apparent, show up, clearly, physical... more

• keep an eye on

  to look after someone or something

  Will you keep an eye on things here until I get back?

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: protect, defend, save, stand up for, guard... more

• keep an eye out for

  to keep looking for someone or something, especially when you are doing something else

  He asked me to keep an eye out for any houses to rent.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: go through, look out for, seek out, sort through, search out... more

• keep your eyes open/peeled/skinned (for)

  to keep looking for someone or something that you hope to find

  Keep your eyes open for a petrol station.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: go through, look out for, seek out, sort through, search out... more

• the naked eye

  the human eye alone, without special equipment such as a telescope

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: more

• one in the eye for someone

  British informal
  something that spoils someone’s plans or is a disappointment for them. This expression usually shows that you are pleased about this.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: disappointment, shame, blow, anticlimax, letdown... more

• only have eyes for someone

  to only like or love a particular person

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: love, care for, adore, dote on, fall in love... more

• open someone’s eyes to something

  to make someone realize the truth about a situation

  It was this incident that opened my eyes to her true character.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: explain, define, put across, interpret, clarify... more

• open your eyes to something

  to allow yourself to accept or consider something

  He refused to open his eyes to the truth.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: more

• run/cast your eye(s) over something

  to look at or read something very quickly

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: glance, skim, flick through, look at, run down... more

• see eye to eye (with someone)

  to agree with someone, or to have the same opinion as them

  see eye to eye (with someone) with:

  I don’t see eye to eye with my father on many things.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: agree, go along with, concur, be in agreement, be of one/be of the same mind (about)... more

• set/lay/clap eyes on

  to see someone or something, especially for the first time

  I have no wish to set eyes on this place ever again.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: see, make out, see, spot, witness... more

• take your eyes off

  to stop looking at someone or something

  She only took her eyes off the child for a moment.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: look around, look at, look, check on, examine... more

• there is more to someone than meets the eye

  used for saying that someone has qualities or experience that someone else does not know about

  Steve needs to prove that there is more to him than meets the eye.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: secret, private, personal, strange, unknown... more

• there is more to something than meets the eye

  used for saying that a situation is more complicated than it seems

  I feel that there’ s something more to this than meets the eye.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: complicated, difficult, complex, elaborate, confused... more

• through someone’s eyes

  as though a particular person is seeing or experiencing something

  The story is told through the eyes of a child.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: directly, first-hand, vicarious, direct, participative... more

• under someone’s eye

  with a particular person watching or taking care of someone or something

  The girls sat on the ground under the watchful eye of their aunt.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: attention, regard, focused, alert, attentive... more

• with your eyes shut/closed

  used for saying that it is easy to do something

  I could do his job with my eyes shut.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: easy, simple, convenient, elementary, effortless... more

• with your eyes (wide) open

  knowing that there could be many problems in a situation

  I went into the job with my eyes open, fully knowing what it would involve.

  Synonyms or related words for this meaning of eye: knowing, knowledgeable, informed, clued up, conversant... more