Idiomatic eye chart

Add comment March 18th, 2009

Yes, most of us have two eyes, and we use both of them to see things. But when it comes to idiom, sometimes only one eye will work.

For example, the phrase “whatever catches my eyes” is logical, but it’s improper idiom. In fact, it could even border on the grotesque.

Among the idiomatic expressions using the single-eye approach, in addition to “catch someone’s eye,” are the slang “give someone the eye” and “in a pig’s eye,” and the not slang “have an eye for,” “in the eye of the wind,” “in the public eye,” “keep an eye on (or out for),” “run one’s eye over” and “with an eye to.”

Of course, both eyes can get into the act as well: “feast one’s eyes on,” “keep one’s eyes open (or peeled or skinned),” “lay (or set or clap) eyes on,” “make eyes at,” “open someone’s eyes” and “shut one’s eyes to,” and the informal “have eyes for.”

If you’re going to use idiom, you need to have an ear for it.