EYE

[noun] [C] - one of the pair of organs of seeing in the faces of humans and animalsThey hoped the operation would restore the sight to his left eye.She's got beautiful green eyes.See picture: HeadSee study section: Eye, eyesight and seeingThe eye of a needle is the hole through which you put the thread.The eye of a storm is its calm, quiet centre.On a potato, or other similar plant part, an eye is a dark spot from which a new stem and leaves will grow.If something is at eye-level, it is positioned at approximately the same height as your eyes.When you roll your eyes, you move them around to express surprise.When you are in an interview, it is very important to keep/make eye contact with (= look into the eyes of) the person who is interviewing you.When we took them to the puppet show, the children were all eyes (= watched with great interest).The road stretched into the distance as far as the eye can/could see.They drove off in my car before/under my very eyes (= although I was watching).(informal) If you have or need eyes in the back of your head, you are able or need to give attention to everything, even things you cannot easily see.Small children are always doing dangerous things. You need eyes in the back of your head!(UK) In games such as cricket or tennis, a player has to get/keep their eye in (= develop the ability to judge the way the ball is moving).She has a good/keen/sharp eye for (= a good ability to notice) detail. [I or T](informal) She's had her eye on (= wanted) a new bike for some time.(UK and ANZ informal) Someone who has an eye to/for the main chance is always ready to use a situation to their own advantage.Although I'm forty, in my parents' eyes/in the eyes of my parents (= in my parents' opinion), I'm still a young person.(informal) Will you keep an/your eye on (= watch carefully) my suitcase while I go to get the tickets?To clap/lay/set eyes on something or someone is to see it or them.Where's Jane? I haven't set eyes on her for weeks.(informal) To make eyes at someone means to look at them in a way that makes it obvious that you are sexually interested in them.She was making eyes at him all evening.(UK informal) His promotion was one in the eye for (= a disappointment/defeat for) his rivals.(informal) She couldn't take her eyes off (= stop looking at) the wonderful display of food.There's more to this than meets the eye means that something is more difficult to understand than you thought at the beginning.To my amateur eye (= In my opinion), it looks like an expensive antique.(informal) I'm up to my eyes in (= very busy with) school reports this week.(informal) I could do that journey with my eyes shut (= easily or automatically) now, I've done it so many times.(informal) You go around with your eyes shut (= without noticing what is happening) half the time, so I'm not surprised you were the last to hear the news about Becky.(informal) If you keep an/your eye out for something, or if you keep your eyes open/peeled/(UK) skinned for something, you look for it.When you're shopping, keep your eye out for something we can give John as a birthday present.(informal) She went into it with her eyes open (= knowing what was likely to happen).(humorous) If someone's eyes are too big for their stomach, they take more food than they can eat.She's wearing an eye-catching (= attractive, noticeable) red dress, you can't miss her.Eye contact is when two people look at each other at the same time.If you're telling the truth, why are you avoiding eye contact with me?If something is an eye-opener, it surprises you, esp. by giving you information which you did not have before.That newspaper article on homelessness was a real eye-opener.An eye-patch is a covering worn over the eye to protect it if it is damaged or sore.In story books, pirates usually wear eye-patches and have parrots on their shoulders.Eye shadow is a coloured cream or powder which is put around the eyes to make them look larger or more attractive.See picture: CosmeticsAn eye socket is one of the two hollows on each side of the nose which contain the eyes.(saying) 'An eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth)' means that if someone does something bad to you, it is acceptable to do something bad to them in return.