Tag Archives: eyes

Keep one’s eye on the ball

Meaning: This idiom means to stay focused and attentive to what is important, especially in order to achieve success or avoid mistakes. It implies maintaining concentration and not getting distracted from the main goal or task at hand.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “If you want to finish this project on time, you need to keep your eye on the ball and avoid distractions.”
  2. “During the negotiations, she kept her eye on the ball and made sure the deal met all their requirements.”
  3. “The team needs to keep their eye on the ball if they want to win the championship.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “keep one’s eye on the ball” comes from sports, particularly baseball, tennis, and golf. In these sports, it is crucial for players to watch the ball closely to hit it accurately or catch it effectively. By keeping their eye on the ball, players increase their chances of making successful plays. Over time, this phrase has been adopted into general language as a metaphor for staying focused and attentive in any situation where concentration is key to success.

Keep one’s eye on the ball

Keep an eye on

Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of closely monitoring or watching someone or something, often to ensure their safety, security, or well-being. It implies paying attention to a person, situation, or object with vigilance or care, typically to prevent problems or issues from arising.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Could you keep an eye on the kids while I run to the store?”
  2. “The security guard kept an eye on the surveillance cameras to monitor the premises.”
  3. “She asked her neighbor to keep an eye on her house while she was away on vacation.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “keep an eye on” is literal, referring to the physical act of using one’s eyes to observe or watch something closely. Over time, the phrase evolved into a common expression used to describe the act of vigilantly monitoring or watching over someone or something. It emphasizes the idea of attentiveness and watchfulness in ensuring the safety, security, or well-being of a person or object.

Keep an eye on

Eagle eyes

Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who has exceptionally sharp or keen vision, often implying the ability to see details or perceive things from a great distance with great clarity. It suggests heightened observational skills or the ability to notice even subtle changes or movements.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She spotted the tiny insect crawling on the wall from across the room; she has eagle eyes.”
  2. “The detective’s eagle eyes didn’t miss a single clue at the crime scene.”
  3. “With his eagle eyes, the photographer captured the fleeting moment perfectly.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “eagle eyes” is derived from the remarkable vision of eagles, which are known for their exceptional eyesight. Eagles possess a high density of photoreceptors in their retinas, enabling them to see with remarkable clarity and accuracy over long distances. The phrase “eagle eyes” has been used metaphorically to describe humans with keen vision or acute observational skills since at least the 19th century.

Eagle eyes