When you look at the sources of English idioms (idioms from sports, colors, food, etc.), you see that more idioms come from parts of the body than from other sources. In fact, just the head alone gives us numerous common idioms—phrases that use head, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, and chin.

Here, we’re going to look at idioms that refer to the eye or eyes, and there are a lot to see. For instance, why do I have to keep my eye on the ball if I’m not playing golf? And if I can see something with the naked eye, is my eye not wearing clothes? We’ll look at these and other idioms, and, as you’ll see, it’s an eye-opener.

Question:
1. If Nancy and her manager see eye to eye, they ___.
A. are the same height
B. are related
C. agree on things
D. are honest with each other

Definition:
• see eye to eye, v. phr., to agree, to have the same viewpoint.
→ Jenny and her husband didn’t see eye to eye on where to spend their vacation.

Question:
2. I can’t believe our bus is late again. Use your ___ eye and see if the bus in the distance is ours.
A. tiger
B. snake
C. eagle
D. goat

Definition:
• eagle eye, n., the ability to see very well. Also: keep an eagle eye on, meaning to watch.
→ With her eagle eye, she could see a boat in the distance.

Question:
3. Frank loves his wife. He only ___ her.
A. has an eye on
B. has eyes for
C. eyes
D. eyes at

Definition:
• (only) have eyes for, v. phr., to love, to be interested in.
→ Hal only has eyes for classic cars.

Question:
4. Sheila ___ art, so she can help you choose paintings for your new apartment.
A. has eyes for
B. has an eye for
C. has eyes to
D. has an eye on

Definition:
• have an eye for, v. phr., know very well; able to understand something well and make judgements about it.
→ Art experts often have an eye for detail.

Compare:
• have eyes for = to love
→ He has eyes only for his true love.
• have an eye for = to know very well
→ She has an eye for antiques. 

Question:
5. If we’re going to play cards at work, someone had better keep an eye ___ the boss. If she comes, we can hide the cards quickly.
A. on
B. at
C. out for
D. on for

Definition:
• keep an eye out for, v. phr., to be watchful for, to watch carefully to see if something happens. Also: keep (one’s) eye out for; keep a sharp eye out for.
→ Mark may be coming soon. Keep an eye out for him and open the door when he arrives.

Question:
6. That’s a beautiful phone. Keep an eye ___ it. You don’t want it to get stolen.
A. on
B. at
C. out for
D. on for

Definition:
• keep an eye on (someone), v. phr., to watch, to guard or protect.
→ Keep an eye on the kids while I run to the store.

Continue:
Eye on Idioms Part 1          Eye on Idioms Part 2
Eye on Idioms Part 3         Eye on Idioms Crossword

(C) 2019, by Targets in English. All rights reserved.