The flashcard explains the English word "eye," covering its noun meanings as the organ of sight, a way of perceiving, and parts of objects like needles or storms. It also details its verb usage meaning to look carefully and includes various related idioms and phrases.
This flashcard defines the English word "eye" and its various meanings and uses in the English language, including its use as a noun referring to the organ of sight, a way of seeing or judging, and parts of objects like needles or storms. It also covers its use as a verb meaning to look at someone or something carefully, along with numerous idiomatic expressions and phrases that incorporate the word "eye."
[N-COUNT 可数名词]眼睛 Your eyes are the parts of your body with which you see.
[oft poss N in pl]
I opened my eyes and looked...
我睁开眼睛看了看。
Maria's eyes filled with tears.
玛丽亚的眼中噙满了泪水。
...a tall, thin white-haired lady with piercing dark brown eyes...
有着一双锐利的深褐色眼睛、头发花白的瘦高个女士
He is now blind in one eye.
他现在一只眼睛瞎了。
2
[VERB 动词]打量；端详 If you eye someone or something in a particular way, you look at them carefully in that way.
[V n prep/adv]
[V n]
Sally eyed Claire with interest...
萨莉饶有兴趣地打量着克莱尔。
We eyed each other thoughtfully...
我们若有所思地打量着对方。
Martin eyed the bottle at Marianne's elbow.
马丁端详着玛丽安娜肘边的瓶子。
3
[N-COUNT 可数名词]眼光；眼力；鉴赏力 You use eye when you are talking about a person's ability to judge things or about the way in which they are considering or dealing with things.
[usu sing]
William was a man of discernment, with an eye for quality...
威廉是个有鉴赏力的人，对于品质的优劣很有眼光。
Their chief negotiator turned his critical eye on the United States...
他们的首席谈判代表以批判的眼光看美国。
It did not take his practised eye long to notice that he was not the only one who was hanging about...
眼力老道的他很快就注意到他不是唯一在闲逛的人。
He first learnt to fish under the watchful eye of his grandmother.
在祖母的看护下，他第一次学起了钓鱼。
4
[N-COUNT 可数名词]（电）眼；（红外）眼；眼状探测装置 An electric eye or infrared eye is a device which can recognize the presence of people or objects by detecting the light or heat coming from them.
[adj N]
An infra-red eye is said to detect the movement of any animal within an angle of 110 degrees at up to 10 metres.
据说红外眼能够探测到110度角范围内远至10米的任何动物的活动。
5
[N-SING 单数名词]拍摄对象；镜头 People sometimes talk about the eye of the camera when they are talking about something being filmed or photographed, or the way something appears in a photograph or film.
[usu with poss]
I was again using the cold, unflinching eye of the camera to probe a sick society.
我再次通过照相机冷漠、坚定的镜头去探究这个病态的社会。
6
[N-COUNT 可数名词]（马铃薯的）芽眼 An eye on a potato is one of the dark spots from which new stems grow.
7
[N-COUNT 可数名词]扣眼；钩眼 An eye is a small metal loop which a hook fits into, as a fastening on a piece of clothing.
8
[N-COUNT 可数名词]针眼；针鼻儿 The eye of a needle is the small hole at one end which the thread passes through.
9
[N-SING 单数名词]风眼；气旋中心The eye of a storm, tornado, or hurricane is the centre of it.
[the N of n]
The eye of the hurricane hit Florida just south of Miami.
飓风的风眼袭击了佛罗里达州迈阿密正南部。
10
See also:
black eye
；
private eye
；
shut-eye
；
11
[PHRASE 短语]在…眼皮底下；就在…眼前 If you say that something happens before your eyes ,in front of your eyes, or under your eyes, you are emphasizing that it happens where you can see it clearly and often implying that it is surprising or unpleasant.
[usu PHR after v]
[emphasis]
A lot of them died in front of our eyes...
他们中有很多人就死在我们眼前。
We are under the eyes of both sides all the time.
我们一直都在双方的密切监视下。
12
[PHRASE 短语]瞟一眼；匆匆查看；浏览 If you cast your eye or run your eye over something, you look at it or read it quickly.
[V inflects]
I would be grateful if he could cast an expert eye over it and tell me what he thought of it...
如果他能够以专家的眼光浏览一下，告诉我他的想法，我将非常感激。
If you run your eye up and down these columns you will see that the value of some of them declined.
你把这几列上下扫视一遍，就会发现其中有些贬值了。
13
[PHRASE 短语]See also:
eye-catching
；闯入眼帘；突然引起…的注意 If something catches your eye, you suddenly notice it.
[V inflects]
As she turned back, a movement across the lawn caught her eye.
她转过身，瞥见有个东西从草地上穿了过去。
14
[PHRASE 短语]吸引…的注意 If you catch someone's eye, you do something to attract their attention, so that you can speak to them.
[V inflects]
I tried to catch Chrissie's eye to find out what she was playing at.
我努力吸引克丽茜的注意，想知道她在搞什么名堂。
15
[PHRASE 短语]看见；瞧见 To clap eyes on someone or something, or set or lay eyes on them, means to see them.
[V inflects]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
That's probably the most bare and bleak island I've ever had the misfortune to clap eyes on...
那可能是我不幸看到的最光秃、最荒凉的岛屿。
What was he doing when you last set eyes on him?
你上次见到他时他在做什么？
16
[PHRASE 短语]与…目光交流/躲避…的目光 If you make eye contact with someone, you look at them at the same time as they look at you, so that you are both aware that you are looking at each other. If you avoid eye contact with someone, you deliberately do not look straight at them because you feel awkward or embarrassed.
[PHR after v]
She was looking at me across the room, and we made eye contact several times...
她从房间的另一头看着我，我们有几次目光交汇。
I spent a fruitless ten minutes walking up and down the high street, desperately avoiding eye contact with passers-by.
我在大街上一无所获来回走了10分钟，其间还要拼命地躲避路人的目光。
17
[PHRASE 短语]对…视而不见；不理会 If you close your eyes to something bad or if you shut your eyes to it, you ignore it.
[V inflects]
Most governments must simply be shutting their eyes to the problem.
大多数政府肯定会索性对那个问题视而不见。
18
[PHRASE 短语]痛哭 If you cry your eyes out, you cry very hard.
[V inflects]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
19
[PHRASE 短语]以眼还眼；以牙还牙；一报还一报 You say 'an eye for an eye' or 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' to refer to the idea that people should be punished according to the way in which they offended, for example if they hurt someone, they should be hurt equally badly in return.
...a very simple punishment code based on an-eye-for-an-eye.
非常简单的以眼还眼的惩罚法则
20
[PHRASE 短语]望不到边；一望无垠 If there is something as far as the eye can see, there is a lot of it and you cannot see anything else beyond it.
Here, massive dunes stretched in every direction as far as the eye could see...
在这里，巨大的沙丘向四面八方延绵不绝，一望无垠。
There are pine trees as far as the eye can see.
放眼望去，除了松树还是松树。
21
[PHRASE 短语]对…有眼力；对…有鉴别力 If you say that someone has an eye for something, you mean that they are good at noticing it or making judgments about it.
[V inflects]
Susan has a keen eye for detail, so each dress is beautifully finished off.
苏珊对细节精益求精，所以每件衣裙都做得非常漂亮。
22
[PHRASE 短语]在…眼里；在…看来 You use expressions such as in his eyes or to her eyes to indicate that you are reporting someone's opinion and that other people might think differently.
[PHR with cl-group]
The other serious problem in the eyes of the new government is communalism...
在新政府看来，另一个严重问题是社群主义。
Richard Dorrington was, in their eyes, a very sensible and reliable man...
在他们眼中，理查德·多林顿是个非常可靠的明白人。
The practice of religion in America sometimes seems strange to European eyes.
在欧洲人看来，美国人的宗教习俗有时很奇怪。
23
[PHRASE 短语]留意；瞪大眼睛；密切注意 If you keep your eyes open or keep an eye out for someone or something, you watch for them carefully.
[V inflects]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
I ask the mounted patrol to keep their eyes open...
我让骑警瞪大眼睛。
You and your friends keep an eye out—if there's any trouble we'll make a break for it.
你和你的朋友要留意——一有问题，我们就跑。
24
[PHRASE 短语]密切留意 If you tell someone to keep their eyes peeled for something, you are telling them to watch very carefully for it.
[V inflects]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
25
[PHRASE 短语]留意；密切注意 If you keep an eye on something or someone, you watch them carefully, for example to make sure that they are satisfactory or safe, or not causing trouble.
[V inflects]
I'm sure you will appreciate that we must keep a careful eye on all our running costs...
我们必须密切关注所有的运营成本，这一点我想您肯定会赞同。
I went for a run there, keeping an eye on the children the whole time...
我去那里跑步，期间一直留意着孩子们。
They're using villagers to keep an eye on each other, to spy on each other.
他们利用村民互相监视，互相窥探。
26
[PHRASE 短语]含情脉脉地看着；向…抛媚眼 If you make eyes at someone, you look at them in a way which shows that you find them attractive and which is intended to get their attention.
[V inflects]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
[OLD-FASHIONED 过时]
27
[PHRASE 短语]（事情）比看起来复杂 You say 'there's more to this than meets the eye' when you think a situation is not as simple as it seems to be.
This whole business is very puzzling. There is a lot more to it than meets the eye.
整件事非常令人费解，远比看起来复杂。
28
[PHRASE 短语]（尤指令人吃惊的或印象深刻的事情）映入…的眼帘，呈现在…眼前 If something, especially something surprising or impressive, meets your eyes, you see it.
[V inflects]
The first sight that met my eyes on reaching the front door was the church enveloped in flames.
赶到前门时，我第一眼看到的就是被大火吞没的教堂。
29
[PHRASE 短语]所有目光都聚集在…上；所有人都在关注 If you say that all eyes are on something or that the eyes of the world are on something, you mean that everyone is paying careful attention to it and what will happen.
[V inflects]
[JOURNALISM 新闻]
All eyes will be on tomorrow's vote...
所有目光都将聚集在明天的投票上。
The eyes of the world were now on the police.
这时所有的目光都聚焦在警方。
30
[PHRASE 短语]注视；密切注意 If someone has their eye on you, they are watching you carefully to see what you do.
[V inflects]
As the boat plodded into British waters and up the English Channel, Customs had their eye on her.
那艘船缓慢驶入英国水域，沿英吉利海峡向北时，海关一直密切关注着它。
31
[PHRASE 短语]看上；相中 If you have your eye on something, you want to have it.
[V inflects]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
...if you're saving up for a new outfit you've had your eye on.
如果你在攒钱买一套你看中的新衣服
32
[PHRASE 短语]心中有数；心知肚明 If you say that you did something with your eyes open or with your eyes wide open, you mean that you knew about the problems and difficulties that you were likely to have.
[PHR after v]
We want all our members to undertake this trip responsibly, with their eyes open.
我们希望所有成员都能够负责地开始这次旅程，做到心中有数。
33
[PHRASE 短语]使…看清楚；使…恍然大悟 If something opens your eyes, it makes you aware that something is different from the way that you thought it was.
[V inflects]
Watching your child explore the world about her can open your eyes to delights long forgotten.
看着孩子探索她身边的世界能让你体会到早已忘记的快乐。
34
[PHR-RECIP 相互短语]与…看法一致 If you see eye to eye with someone, you agree with them and have the same opinions and views.
[V inflects]
Yuriko saw eye to eye with Yul on almost every aspect of the production...
百合子和尤尔几乎在生产的每个方面都看法一致。
We've never seen eye to eye.
我们的看法从来就没有一致过。
35
[PHRASE 短语]争议的中心；风口浪尖 If you say that someone or something is at the eye of the storm, you mean they are the main subject of a public disagreement.
[usu prep PHR]
The bowlers at the eye of the storm were nowhere in evidence.
处于风口浪尖的那些投手不见了踪影。
...the minister in the eye of the storm.
备受指责的那位部长
36
[PHRASE 短语]将…的视线从…上移开 When you take your eyes off the thing you have been watching or looking at, you stop looking at it.
[V inflects]
She took her eyes off the road to glance at me...
她把视线从公路上移开，扫了我一眼。
Nina couldn't take her eyes off Philip.
尼娜无法将她的视线从菲利普身上移开。
37
[PHRASE 短语]以…的视角 If someone sees or considers something through your eyes, they consider it in the way that you do, from your point of view.
[PHR after v]
She tried to see things through his eyes...
她尽力从他的视角看问题。
The story is told through the eyes of Inspector Simon Potter.
这个故事是从西蒙·波特巡官的视角讲述的。
38
[PHRASE 短语]深陷于…中；（常指）忙得不可开交 If you say that you are up to your eyes in something, you are emphasizing that you have a lot of it to deal with, and often that you are very busy.
[v-link PHR]
[emphasis]
[INFORMAL 非正式]
I am up to my eyes in work...
我工作忙得不可开交。
The women are just up to their eyes in debt.
那些女人债台高筑。
39
the apple of your eye→see:
apple
； to turn a blind eye→see:
blind
； to feast your eyes→see:
feast
； to look someone in the eye→see:
look
； in your mind's eye→see:
mind
； the naked eye→see:
naked
； to pull the wool over someone's eyes→see:
wool
；
相关词组：
eye up
Oxford
eye★/aɪ; NAmEaɪ/
noun
,
verb
eyeeyeseyedeyeingeyingnoun★ _eye_body_comp.jpg _eye.jpg part of body 身体部位1★[countable ]either of the two organs on the face that you see with 眼睛◆The suspect has dark hair and green eyes.嫌疑犯有着一头黑发和一双绿眼睛。◆to close/openyour eyes闭上╱睁开眼睛◆to drop/loweryour eyes(= to look down)眼睛朝下看◆There were tears in his eyes.他眼里噙着泪水。◆I have something in my eye.我的眼睛里有点什么东西。◆to make/avoid eye contactwith sb (= to look/avoid looking at them at the same time as they look at you)与╱避免与某人目光接触◆All eyes were onhim (= everyone was looking at him)as he walked on to the stage. 他走上台时所有的目光都注视着他。☞collocationsat
physical
☞see also
black eye
,
compound eye
,
lazy eye
,
shut-eye
2-eyed( in adjectives 构成形容词) having the type or number of eyesmentioned 有…眼睛的；有…只眼的◆a blue-eyed blonde蓝眼睛的金发女郎◆a one-eyed monster独眼怪物ability to see 视力3★[singular ]the ability to see 视力；眼力◆A surgeon needs a good eye and a steady hand.做外科医生眼要准，手要稳。☞see also
eagle eye
way of seeing 眼光4[countable , usually singular ]a particular way of seeing sth 眼光；视角◆He looked at the design with the eye ofan engineer. 他以工程师的眼光看这个设计。◆She viewed the findings with a critical eye.她以批判的眼光看待这些研究结果。◆To my eye,the windows seem out of proportion. 在我看来，这些窗子似乎不成比例。of needle 针5[countable ]the hole in the end of a needle that you put the thread through 针鼻儿；针眼on clothes 衣服6[countable ]a small thin piece of metal curved round, that a small hook fits into, used for fastening clothes 风纪扣扣眼；金属环眼◆It fastens with a hook and eye.它是用风纪扣扣上的。of storm 风暴7[singular ]the ~ of a/the storm, tornado, hurricane, etc.a calm area at the centre of a storm, etc. 风眼（风暴等的中心平静区）on potato 马铃薯8[countable ]a dark mark on a potato from which another plant will grow 芽眼☞see also
bullseye
,
Catseye
,
the evil eye
,
fisheye lens
,
red-eye
IDIOMSbe all ˈeyesto be watching sb/sth carefully and with a lot of interest 极注意地看；留神地看；全神贯注地看；目不转睛before/in front of sb's (very) eyesin sb's presence; in front of sb 当着某人的面；就在某人的眼皮底下◆He had seen his life's work destroyed before his very eyes.他曾看到他毕生的劳动成果就在自己的眼前毁于一旦。be up to your eyes in sthto have a lot of sth to deal with 忙于；埋头于；深陷于◆We're up to our eyes in work.我们工作忙得不可开交。cast/run an eye/your eyes over sthto look at or examine sth quickly 用眼光瞥（或扫）；匆匆查看；粗略地看一看◆Could you just run your eyes over this report?你就粗略地看一下这报告可以吗？clap/lay/set eyes on sb/sth( informal) ( usually used in negative sentences 通常用于否定句) to see sb/sth 看见；注意到◆I haven't clapped eyes on them for weeks.我几周没见到他们了。◆I hope I never set eyes on this place again!我希望永远不再见到这个地方！an ˌeye for an ˈeye (and a ˌtooth for a ˈtooth)( saying) used to say that you should punish sb by doing to them what they have done to you or to sb else 以眼还眼；以牙还牙sb's eyes are bigger than their ˈstomachused to say that sb has been greedyby taking more food than they can eat （表示贪吃）眼大肚皮小，眼馋肚饱for sb's eyes ˈonlyto be seen only by a particular person 只供某人读（或看）◆I'll lend you the letters but they're for your eyes only.我会把这些信借给你，但只准你一个人看。get your ˈeye in( BrE) (in ball games 球类运动)to practise so that you are able to judge more clearly how fast and where the ball is going 能进行准确判断（球的速度和方向）have an eye for sthto be able to judge if things look attractive, valuable, etc. 对…有鉴赏力（或识别力、眼力）◆I've never had much of an eye for fashion.我对时装从来没多少鉴赏力。◆She has an eye for a bargain.她善识便宜货。have eyes in the back of your ˈheadto be aware of everything that is happening around you, even things that seem difficult or impossible to see 脑后长眼；眼光敏锐；什么都能觉察到have (got) eyes like a ˈhawkto be able to notice or see everything 洞察一切；眼尖◆She's bound to notice that chipped glass. The woman has eyes like a hawk!她一定会注意到那只破损的玻璃杯。这个女人的眼睛可尖呢！have one eye/half an eye on sthto look at or watch sth while doing sth else, especially in a secret way so that other people do not notice 做另一件事的同时（悄悄）注意◆During his talk, most of the delegates had one eye on the clock.他讲话时大部份代表边听边悄悄看钟。have your ˈeye on sb1★to be watching sb carefully, especially to check that they do not do anything wrong 密切注视；盯住；监视2to be thinking about asking sb out, offering sb a job, etc. because you think they are attractive, good at their job, etc. 看中；看上◆He's got his eye on the new girl in your class.他看中了你们班上新来的那个女孩。have your ˈeye on sthto be thinking about buying sth 想得到；想买到in the eyes of the ˈlaw, ˈworld, etc.according to the law, most people in the world, etc. 从（法律、世人等）的观点看；就…而言in ˈsb's eyes(BrE alsoto ˈsb's eyes)in sb's opinion or according to the way that they see the situation 按某人的意见；在某人眼里；依某人看◆She can do no wrong in her father's eyes.在她父亲看来，她不可能做坏事。★keep an eye on sb/sthto take care of sb/sth and make sure that they are not harmed, damaged, etc. 照看；留神；留意◆We've asked the neighbours to keep an eye on the house for us while we are away.我们已请邻居在我们外出时帮我们照看一下房子。keep an eye open/out (for sb/sth)to look for sb/sth while you are doing other things 密切注意；提防；警觉◆Police have asked residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.警方呼吁居民密切注意一切可疑的情况。keep your eye on the ˈballto continue to give your attention to what is most important 眼睛盯着大事；密切注意关键问题keep your ˈeyes peeled/skinned (for sb/sth)to look carefully for sb/sth 留心；注意；仔细查找◆We kept our eyes peeled for any signs of life.我们注意寻找任何生命的迹象。look sb in the ˈeye(s)/ˈface( usually used in negative sentences and questions 通常用于否定句和疑问句) to look straight at sb without feeling embarrassed or ashamed （坦然或问心无愧地）直视某人，正视某人◆Can you look me in the eye and tell me you're not lying?你能问心无愧地看着我说你没撒谎吗？◆I'll never be able to look her in the face again!我再也不能坦然地面对她了！make ˈeyes at sb | give sb the ˈeyeto look at sb in a way that shows that you find them sexually attractive 向某人送秋波；向某人抛媚眼◆He's definitely giving you the eye!他肯定是在向你眉目传情！ˌmy ˈeye!( BrE) ( old-fashioned,informal) used to show that you do not believe sb/sth （表示不相信）◆‘It's an antique.’ ‘An antique, my eye!’“这是件文物。”“是文物才怪！”not see eye to ˈeye with sb (on sth)to not share the same views as sb about sth 与某人看法不一致（或意见不尽相同）；与…不敢苟同not (be able to) take your ˈeyes off sb/sthto find sb/sth so interesting, attractive, etc. that you watch them all the time 目不转睛地盯着；始终注视着one in the eye (for sb/sth)( informal) a result, action, etc. that represents a defeat or disappointment for sb/sth 失败；挫折；失望◆The appointment of a woman was one in the eye for male domination.任命女性担任这个职位是对男权统治的严重打击。only have eyes for/have eyes only for sbto be in love with only one particular person 只钟情于某人；只爱某人◆He's only ever had eyes for his wife.他始终只爱自己的妻子。see, look at, etc. sth through sb's eyesto think about or see sth the way that another person sees it 从别人的角度看◆Try looking at it through her eyes for a change.试试设身处地站在她的角度想想这事吧。★shut/close your eyes to sthto pretend that you have not noticed sth so that you do not have to deal with it （对…）视而不见，熟视无睹，置若罔闻take your eye off the ˈballto stop giving your attention to what is most important 不再关注重要问题under the (watchful) eye of sbbeing watched carefully by sb 在某人的密切注视下；在某人的监视下◆The children played under the watchful eye of their father.孩子们在父亲悉心看护下玩耍。what the eye doesn't ˈsee (the heart doesn't ˈgrieve over)( saying) if a person does not know about sth that they would normally disapprove of, then it cannot hurt them 眼不见（心不烦）；眼不见为净◆What does it matter if I use his flat while he's away? What the eye doesn't see…!我趁他外出时用他的公寓有什么关系呢？反正他又看不见！with an eye for/on/to the main chance( BrE) ( usually disapproving) with the hope of using a particular situation in order to gain some advantage for yourself 瞅机会捞一把with an eye to sth/to doing sthwith the intention of doing sth 着眼于；目的在于；试图◆He bought the warehouse with an eye to converting it into a hotel.他买这个仓库是为了将它改建成一家旅馆。with your eyes ˈopenfully aware of the possible problems or results of a particular course of action 明知后果如何；明知有问题；心中有数◆I went into this with my eyes open so I guess I only have myself to blame.我是明明知道做这事的后果的，所以我想只能责怪我自己。with your eyes ˈshut/ˈclosedhaving enough experience to be able to do sth easily 轻车熟路；毫不费力◆I've made this trip so often, I could do it with my eyes shut.我经常走这条路，闭着眼睛都能找到。☞more at
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bat
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beauty
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believe
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bird
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blind
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blink
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catch
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close
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cock
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corner
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dry
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easy
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far
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feast
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hit
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meet
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mind
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naked
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open
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please
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public
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pull
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roving
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sight
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twinkling
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weather
n.verb(eye·ingoreying,eyed,eyed)eyesb/sth (+ adv./prep.) to look at sb/sth carefully, especially because you want sth or you are suspicious of sth 注视；审视；细看◆to eye sb suspiciously怀疑地注视着某人◆He couldn't help eyeing the cakes hungrily.他饥不可耐地盯着蛋糕。◆They eyed us with alarm.他们警觉地注视着我们。PHRASAL VERBˌeye sb↔ˈup( informal) to look at sb in a way that shows you have a special interest in them, especially a sexual interest 色迷迷地打量着某人eye/aɪ; NAmEaɪ/
LDC
eye1 noun
eye2 verb
eyeeye1 /aɪ/ ●●●S1W1 noun
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Word Origin
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
1eyefor seeing with [countable] one of the two parts of the body that you use to see with: He’s got beautiful eyes. There were tears in her eyes as she listened to the story. Ow! I’ve got something in my eye!blue-eyed/one-eyed/bright-eyed etc a brown-eyed girl →
wide-eyed
2way of seeing/understanding [countable usually singular] a particular way of seeing, judging, or understanding something: Go through your shopping list with a critical eye for foods with a high fat content.with the eye of somebody The magazine combines the accuracy of the scientist with the eye of the artist.to somebody’s eye(s) The picture quality, to my eye, is excellent.through the eyes of somebody (=from the point of view of a particular person) The story is told through the eyes of a refugee child.in the eyes of somebody (=according to a particular person or group) Carl could do no wrong in the eyes of his parents.3keep an eye on something/somebody to look after someone or something and make sure that they are safe: Mary will keep an eye on the kids this afternoon. We keep a watchful eye on our elderly neighbors.4have/keep your eye on somebody to carefully watch everything that someone does, especially because you do not trust them: We want Taylor in jail where we can keep an eye on him.5eye contact when you look directly at someone at the same time as they are looking at you: People who are lying tend to avoid eye contact. In a formal interview, try to maintain good eye contact with the interviewers.6keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something to be watching someone or something at the same time that you are doing something else: Louise was stirring the soup with half an eye on the baby.7have your eye on something to want something that you think might become available: He has his eye on the bigger apartment next door.8the naked eye if you can see something with the naked eye, you can see it without using any artificial help such as a telescope or microscopewith the naked eye It’s just about possible to see the planet with the naked eye on a clear night.visible/invisible to the naked eye Dust mites are tiny creatures, invisible to the naked eye.9before your very eyes (also (right) in front of your eyes) especially spoken if something happens before your very eyes, it happens where you can clearly see it: The murder had apparently taken place before our very eyes.10can’t take your eyes off somebody/something to be unable to stop looking at someone or something, especially because they are extremely interesting or attractive: She looked stunning. I couldn’t take my eyes off her all evening.11under the (watchful/stern etc) eye of somebody while being watched by someone who is making sure that you behave properly or do something right: We went to dances, but only under the watchful eye of our father.12run/cast your eye over something to look at something quickly: She cast her eye over the front page of the paper.13set/lay/clap eyes on somebody/something spoken to see something or meet someone, especially for the first time: I loved that house from the moment I clapped eyes on it.14keep an eye open/out (for somebody/something) to watch carefully so that you will notice when someone or something appears: Keep an eye out for rabbits in the field.15with an eye to (doing) something if you do something with an eye to doing something else, you do it in order to make the second thing more likely to happen: Most novels are published with an eye to commercial success.16close/shut your eyes to something to ignore something or pretend that you do not know it is happening: Most governments know that we’re heading for an environmental catastrophe but they shut their eyes to it.17have an eye/a good eye for something to be good at noticing a particular type of thing, especially something attractive, valuable, of good quality etc: Ernest has an eye for detail. She’s definitely got a good eye for a bargain.18keep your eyes peeled/skinned spoken to watch carefully and continuously for somethingeye for She stumbled along, keeping her eyes peeled for a phone box.19with your eyes open knowing fully what the problems, difficulties, results etc of a situation might be: I’ve no one to blame but myself – I went into this deal with my eyes open.20can do something with your eyes shut/closed to be able to do something very easily: Believe me, you could run that place with your eyes closed.21make eyes at somebody/give somebody the eye informal to look at someone in a way that shows you think they are sexually attractive: Don’t look now, but that guy over there is really giving you the eye.22an eye for/on/to the main chance if you have an eye for the main chance, you will take advantage of any possible opportunity to get what you want – used to show disapproval23one in the eye for somebody British English spoken something that will annoy someone or give them a disadvantage – used especially when you think this is a good thing: This latest judgment will definitely be one in the eye for the fast food corporations.24an eye for an eye the idea that if someone does something wrong, you should punish them by doing the same thing to them: An eye for an eye is no way to run a civilised justice system.25for somebody’s eyes only used to say that something is secret and must only be seen by one particular person or group: The information is for police eyes only.26have eyes in the back of your head to know what is happening all around you, even when this seems impossible: We’ll have to be really careful – old Jonesey has eyes in the back of his head.27get/keep your eye in British English informal to practise or to continue practising an activity so that you become good at it28have eyes like a hawk to notice every small detail or everything that is happening, and therefore be very difficult to deceive: We never got away with anything in Mrs. Podell’s class – she had eyes like a hawk.29his/her etc eyes were popping (out of his/her etc head) British English especially spoken to be very surprised, shocked, or excited by something you see30be up to your eyes in something British English informal to be very busy doing something: He’s up to his eyes in paperwork.31have eyes bigger than your belly spoken used to say that you have taken more food than you are able to eat32only have eyes for somebody if someone only has eyes for someone, they love and are interested in that person only33my eye! old-fashioned spoken used to say that you do not believe something34all eyes are on/watching/fixed on etca)used to say that everyone is looking at someone or something: All eyes were on the speaker, and nobody noticed me slip into the hall.b)used to say that a lot of people are paying attention to a particular person or situation: For the time being, all eyes are on the White House.35in a pig’s eye! American English spoken used to show that you do not believe what someone is saying36camera [singular] the eye of the camera is the way that you appear in photographs: Fashion models are completely comfortable with the eye of the camera.37needle [countable] the hole in a needle that you put the thread through38for fastening clothes [countable] a small circle or U-shaped piece of metal used together with a hook for fastening clothes39storm [singular] the calm centre of a storm such as a hurricane40potato [countable] a dark spot on a potato that a new plant can grow from →
bird's-eye view
, black eye
, Catseye
, private eye
, red eye
, → the apple of somebody’s eye
at apple(2)
, → not bat an eye
at bat2(2)
, → turn a blind eye (to something)
at blind1(3)
, → see something out of the corner of your eye
at corner1(8)
, → the evil eye
at evil1(5)
, → give somebody the glad eye
at glad(6)
, → look somebody in the eye/face
at look1(7)
, → in your mind’s eye
at mind1(40)
, → here’s mud in your eye
at mud
, → open somebody’s eyes (to)
at open2(17)
, → in the public eye
at public1(4)
, → make sheep’s eyes at
at sheep(3)
, → a sight for sore eyes
at sight1(14)
, → in the twinkling of an eye
at twinkling
, → keep a weather eye on
at weather1(5)
, → pull the wool over somebody’s eyes
at wool(4)
COLLOCATIONScolourbrown/blue/grey/green· Both their children have blue eyes.dark brown/pale brown· His eyes are dark brown.deep blue/pale blue· She looked into his deep blue eyes.· The tiny child’s pale blue eyes stared up at her appealingly.hazel (=pale brown and slightly green or golden)· He was a quiet, kindly man, with hazel eyes.sleepy/tired (also weary literary)· He rubbed his tired eyes and yawned.moist/watery/tearful (=full of tears)· Bethan’s eyes grew moist as she talked about her family.sad· He gazed at her with sad eyes as she slowly walked away.cold/cruel (=unfriendly or unkind)· He smiled, but his blue eyes were cold and cruel.shape/positionbig· She looked at me with those big brown eyes.small· His small cold eyes seemed full of menace.round/wide· The children gazed at the screen, their eyes wide with excitement.narrow· He has a thin face and narrow eyes.bulging (=round and sticking far out)· His bulging eyes made him rather look like a frog.beady eyes (=small round and bright, and noticing a lot of things)· His beady eyes darted around the room.deep-set (=far back in someone’s face)· Mac’s eyebrows were thick and dark, above deep-set eyes.close-set (=close together)· He had a small nose and close-set eyes.wide-set (=wide apart)· Claudette studied the wide-set eyes that looked so innocent.sunken (=having fallen inwards, especially because of age or illness)· The man's eyes were sunken, with deep black rings around them.showing your feelings/charactersleepy/tired· His eyes looked sleepy.· Her hair was a mess and her eyes were tired.sad· Her beautiful eyes suddenly looked sad.tearful/moist/misty (=feeling that you want to cry)· As she left a village, people waved at her with tearful eyes.bright (=happy or excited)· the bright eyes of the childrencold (=unfriendly and not showing any emotion)· Her eyes were cold and uncaring.red/bloodshot (=red because you are upset, tired, ill etc)· My mother’s eyes were red from crying.puffy (=swollen because you are ill or upset)· The girl’s eyes were puffy and full of tears.soulful eyes (=showing strong emotions, especially sadness)· The dog looked up at her with big soulful eyes.wild/mad eyes (=very angry, afraid etc)· He stared at them with wild eyes.hungry/greedy eyes (=showing that you want something very much)· The men looked around the room with their greedy eyes.verbsopen your eyes· I slowly opened my eyes.somebody’s eyes open· Suddenly his eyes opened.close/shut your eyes· Joe closed his eyes and tried to get back to sleep.somebody’s eyes close· She let her eyes close for just a moment.rub your eyes· Anna rubbed her eyes wearily.shade/shield your eyes (=protect them from a bright light or the sun)· They gazed out to sea, shielding their eyes from the sun.narrow your eyes (=partly close them, especially to show that you do not trust someone)· She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.somebody’s eyes narrow (=become half closed, especially because someone does not trust another person)· Her dark eyes narrowed for a moment.somebody’s eyes widen (=become more open because they are surprised)· His eyes widened in shock.somebody’s eyes sparkle/shine (=show that they are very happy)· Jenny’s eyes sparkled with excitement.somebody’s eyes light up (=become excited)· His eyes lit up when I mentioned the word money.drop/lower your eyes (=look down at the ground)· The servants lowered their eyes as the countess walked past.avert your eyes literary (=look away from something)· He averted his eyes from the body.phraseskeep your eyes open (=prevent them from closing)· I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.have/keep etc your eyes glued to something (=be watching something with all your attention)· Ted sat with his eyes glued to the television.somebody’s eyes are full of tears· When she put the phone down, her eyes were full of tears.somebody’s eyes are full of hatred/fear etc· The prisoners stared at him, their eyes full of hatred.eye + NOUNan eye test (also an eye exam American English) (=to find out how well you can see)· You should have an eye test every couple of years.eye make-up (=make-up that you put on your eyelids or eyelashes)· She never leaves the house without lipstick and eye make-up.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘black eyes’ when you mean dark brown eyes. You normally use ‘black eye’ when someone has a bruise around their eye, after being hit by someone.
eye1 noun
eye2 verb
eyeeye2 verb (present participle eyeing or eying) [transitive]
Verb Table
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
to look at someone or something carefully, especially because you do not trust them or because you want something: The man behind the desk eyed us suspiciously. A crowd of local children gathered around, eying us in silence.eye up phrasal verb informal to look at someone in a way that shows you think they are sexually attractive: There was a group of lads at the bar, eyeing up every girl who walked in.