25+ Eye Idioms in English with Meanings and Examples

Last updated on October 22, 2024 by Isabella Claire

Eye idioms are a fun and interesting way to add color to our conversations. In this reference, we will dive into the world of eye idioms and explore their meanings and usage. We will provide a list of the most common eye idioms, along with examples of how they can be used in different contexts.

Eye Idioms List

Eye Idioms
Eye Idioms – Created by 7ESL
  • A Sight for Sore Eyes
  • All Eyes And Ears
  • All Eyes Are On
  • An Eye for an Eye
  • Catch Someone’s Eye
  • Cry Your Eyes Out
  • Keep an Eye On
  • Keep an eye peeled
  • See Eye to Eye
  • See Something/somebody Out of the Corner of Your Eye
  • To be the apple of someone’s eye
  • Turn a Blind Eye (to)
  • Wandering Eye
  • Black Eye
  • Blue Eyed Boy
  • Baby Blues

Eye Idioms with Meaning and Examples

A Sight for Sore Eyes

  • Meaning: This idiom means that seeing someone or something is a relief or brings joy after a long absence or a difficult time.
  • Example: “After being away from home for months, seeing my family was a sight for sore eyes.“

All Eyes And Ears

  • Meaning: This idiom means to be attentive and listen carefully.
  • Example: “During the lecture, we were all eyes and ears to understand the topic better.”

All Eyes Are On

  • Meaning: This idiom means that everyone is watching or paying attention to someone or something.
  • Example: “All eyes are on the new CEO to see how he will turn the company around.”

An Eye for an Eye

  • Meaning: This idiom means that if someone does something wrong, they should receive the same punishment.
  • Example: “The thief stole from the store, so the owner took an eye for an eye and reported him to the police.”

Catch Someone’s Eye

  • Meaning: This idiom means to attract someone’s attention.
  • Example: “The bright colors of the dress caught my eye in the store.”

Cry Your Eyes Out

  • Meaning: This idiom means to cry a lot.
  • Example: “After watching the sad movie, I cried my eyes out.”

Keep an Eye On

  • Meaning: This idiom means to watch or monitor something or someone closely.
  • Example: “Please keep an eye on the cake while it’s baking in the oven.”

Keep an eye peeled

  • Meaning: This idiom means to be alert and watchful.
  • Example: “We need to keep an eye peeled for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.”

See Eye to Eye

  • Meaning:  This idiom means to agree with someone.
  • Example: “We see eye to eye on the importance of education.”

See Something/somebody Out of the Corner of Your Eye

  • Meaning: to see something or someone in your peripheral vision.
  • Example: “I saw something out of the corner of my eye, but when I turned around, there was nothing there.”

To be the apple of someone’s eye

  • Meaning: to be someone’s favorite person or thing.
  • Example: “My daughter is the apple of my eye.”

Turn a Blind Eye (to)

  • Meaning: to ignore something or pretend not to see it.
  • Example: “The teacher turned a blind eye to the student’s cheating during the exam.”

Wandering Eye

  • Meaning: to look at someone else in a romantic or sexual way even when in a committed relationship.
  • Example: “He has a wandering eye and can’t seem to stay faithful to his partner.”

Black Eye

  • Meaning:  This idiom means a bruise around the eye caused by a punch or hit.
  • Example: “He got a black eye after getting into a fight with his friend.”

Blue Eyed Boy

  • Meaning: This idiom means a favorite or privileged person.
  • Example: “The boss’s son is the blue-eyed boy and gets all the best projects.”

Baby Blues

  • Meaning:  This idiom means postpartum depression.
  • Example: “After giving birth, she had the baby blues and felt overwhelmed.”

Interactive Exercises

Choose the correct idiom that fits in the sentence.

1.The entire class was _____________________ the teacher during the lecture.

a) crying their eyes out

b) keeping an eye on

c) all eyes and ears

d) seeing something out of the corner of their eye

2. He’s always been the _____________________ in his family.

a) apple of his eye

b) blue-eyed boy

c) crying his eyes out

d) keeping an eye on

3. I saw something move _____________________, but when I turned around, there was nothing there.

a) out of the corner of my eye

b) with my baby blues

c) with a wandering eye

d) with a black eye

4. She’s always had _____________________, so I don’t think she’s happy in her relationship.

a) a wandering eye

b) a black eye

c) baby blues

d) an eye for an eye

5. I can’t believe she _____________________ and didn’t help her friend when she needed it.

a) caught someone’s eye

b) kept an eye peeled

c) saw eye to eye with

d) turned a blind eye to

6. The new employee _____________________, so everyone is paying attention to what he does.

a) caught everyone’s eye

b) turned a blind eye to

c) saw eye to eye with

d) kept an eye on

7. He thinks it’s _____________________, but it’s not.

a) an eye for an eye

b) a sight for sore eyes

c) crying his eyes out

d) keeping an eye on

8. I’ll _____________________ the kids while you go to the store.

a) cry my eyes out

b) keep an eye peeled

c) see something out of the corner of my eye

d) see eye to eye

Answer:

1c- 2b- 3a- 4a- 5d- 6a- 7a- 8b

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