give the eye

give (one) the eye

To look at one in a way that conveys sexual interest. That cute guy is definitely giving you the eye—you should go talk to him! I can't believe Mark gave you the eye—he's a married man! I swear, that girl's giving you the eye, so why don't you go over and say hi?

See also: eye, give

give the eye

To look at someone in a way that conveys one's sexual interest. A noun or pronoun can be used between "give" and "the." That cute guy is definitely giving you the eye—you should go talk to him! You can't give the eye to every girl in the bar, dude. I can't believe Mark gave you the eye—he's a married man!

See also: eye, give

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give someone the eye

Fig. to look at someone in a way that communicates romantic interest. Ann gave John the eye. It really surprised him. Tom kept giving Sally the eye. She finally got disgusted and left.

See also: eye, give

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

give the eye

Also, give the once-over. See give someone the once-over.

See also: eye, give

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.

give someone the eye

INFORMAL

If you give someone the eye, you look at them in a way that shows that you find them attractive. They've been giving each other the eye all the time they've been in the queue.

See also: eye, give, someone

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

give someone the (glad) eye

look at someone in a way that clearly indicates your sexual interest in them. informal

1992 James Meek Last Orders If it was an attractive woman, men would give her the eye.

See also: eye, give, someone

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

give (someone) the eye

1. To look at admiringly or invitingly.

2. To look at with an expression of disapproval.

See also: eye, give

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.