catch eye

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.

See also: catch, eye

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catch somebody's eye 

1. to be noticed by someone because you are looking at them She lit a cigarette while he tried to catch the waiter's eye.

2. to be attractive or different enough to be noticed by people There were lots of dresses to choose from, but none of them really caught my eye.

See also: catch, eye

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catch somebody's eye also catch the eye of somebody

to attract someone's attention Out of all the beautiful things in the garden, the fountain was what really caught my eye. It's a good car, but it doesn't catch the customers' eye.

See also: catch, eye