see with half an eye
To be able to see, notice, or understand something as being plainly obvious or true. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the reason can see with half an eye that such a conflict was inevitable. Tom, everyone sees with half an eye that you're having an affair—it's only a matter of time before Michael figures it out, too.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
see with half an eye
Notice the obvious, tell at a glance, as in I could see with half an eye that he was sleeping through the entire concert. This hyperbolic expression, which presumably alludes to an eye that is only half-open, was first recorded in 1579.
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.