English idiom

give someone the eye

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to signal romantic or sexual attraction through deliberate glances

Word picture

Interest is pictured as being passed to another person through the eyes rather than through words.

Example

“She kept giving the singer the eye from a table near the stage.”

Dictionary details

Component words

eye

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

catch someone's eye

to draw someone's notice or interest

have an eye for

be naturally skilled at noticing or judging a particular quality

pull the wool over someone's eyes

to deceive someone

the apple of one's eye

a person or thing that someone loves and treasures above all others

live and let live

to accept other people's choices without trying to control them

with open arms

with an enthusiastic and affectionate welcome

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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