have half an eye on (someone or something)

have half an eye on (someone or something)

To watch someone or something intermittently or half-heartedly while something else is happening. Unfortunately, I don't remember what that list said because I had half an eye on the TV while Mom was trying to show it to me. Who won? I only had half an eye on the TV when they made the announcement. A: "Wait, when did those two get together?" B: "Two episodes ago, when you only had half an eye on the show."

See also: an, eye, half, have, on

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

have one eye/half an eye on something

look at or watch something while doing something else, especially in a secret way so that other people do not notice: During his talk, most of the delegates had one eye on the clock.

See also: an, eye, half, have, on, one, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017