catch (one's) eye
1. To attract one's attention, often by making eye contact. The server still hasn't taken our order—we just can't catch her eye. I tried not to catch the boss' eye in the meeting, and she still assigned the budget report to me. Ugh! A: "That poor girl just seems terrified to be here." B: "I know, I haven't been able to catch her eye once."
2. To attract one's interest, especially due to being visually appealing or attractive. That dress in the window caught my eye immediately—can I try it on? Your store needs a bold sign that will catch the eye of anyone walking down the street. I see that the new girl in school has caught your eye.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
catch someone's eye
and get someone's eye 1. Fig. to establish eye contact with someone; to attract someone's attention. The shiny red car caught Mary's eye. When Tom had her eye, he smiled at her.
2. Fig. to appear and attract someone's interest. A small red car passing by caught my eye. One of the books on the top shelf caught my eye, and I took it down to look at it.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
catch someone's eye
Attract someone's attention, as in That window display really catches my eye. [Early 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
catch someone's eye
or catch the eye of someone
COMMON If something or someone catches your eye, you notice them because they are very unusual, interesting or beautiful in appearance. A flower arrangement caught my eye as I walked into the shop. He turned the page. The picture caught his eye instantly. She caught the eye of 49-year-old Frank Sinatra on the set one day and promptly flew on his jet to Palm Springs for the weekend. Note: You can also say that something is eye-catching when it is very unusual and interesting in appearance. She was wearing a very eye-catching designer hat. There's an eye-catching headline on the front page of the Sunday Times.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
catch someone's eye
1 be noticed by someone. 2 attract someone's attention by making eye contact with them.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
catch somebody’s ˈeye
attract somebody’s attention: I liked all the paintings, but the one that really caught my eye was a Matisse. ♢ Can you try to catch the waiter’s eye? ▶ ˈeye-catching adj.: an eye-catching advertisementFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017