have one eye on (someone or something)

have one 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 one eye on the TV while Mom was trying to show it to me. I had one eye on the clock as I hurried to finish the report. Why did you only have one eye on the kids? The moment you're not paying attention is all it takes for one of them to get hurt!

See also: eye, have, on, one

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