hawk

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between hawk and buzzard

Caught between two extremes or two factions. The settlers on the border of the two warring states found themselves caught between hawk and buzzard.

See also: and, between, buzzard, hawk

have eyes like a hawk

To be very observant. (Like all birds of prey, hawks have excellent vision.) Mom has eyes like a hawk, so she'll definitely notice if you sneak some of those cookies out of the kitchen.

See also: eye, have, hawk, like

hawks and doves

Respectively, those who favor or support aggressive military action, especially regarding foreign policy, versus those who are inclined to more peaceful, diplomatic solutions. After the terrorist attacks, the hawks in Congress demanded a unilateral attack on the foreign nation, while the doves among them maintained that diplomatic sanctions would be effective for the time being.

See also: and, dove, hawk

hawkshaw

dated A detective. "Hawkshaw" was a detective in English dramatist Tom Taylor's 1863 play The Ticket of Leave Man. I don't trust that man at all. I bet he's a hawkshaw, looking to discover our true identities.

know a hawk from a handsaw

To be able to tell two things apart. The phrase comes from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Of course I know which twin is which—I know a hawk from a handsaw, after all!

See also: hawk, know

shitehawk

1. rude slang A large scavenging bird, especially the black kite. Primarily heard in UK. Ugh, there's a shitehawk picking at a deer carcass.

2. rude slang A European herring gull. Primarily heard in UK. The worst thing about living in Brighton is all the bloody shitehawks near the beach squawking to be fed.

3. rude slang A particularly unpleasant or contemptible person. Primarily heard in UK. Of course that guy took all the credit for your idea. What an utter shitehawk.

shit-hawk

rude slang A particularly unpleasant or contemptible person. Popularized by the television show "Trailer Park Boys." Primarily heard in Canada. Of course that guy took all the credit for your idea. What an utter shit-hawk.

the hawk

The cold, biting winter wind. The term likely originated in African-American communities in Chicago. Primarily heard in US. It's not even November and the hawk is already out. I have a feeling it's going to be a long, long winter. Be sure to bundle up, or the hawk will cut right through you.

See also: hawk

watch (someone or something) like a hawk

To watch someone or something very closely. Hawks, like all birds of prey, are known for having extremely acute vision. Ms. Finnegan was watching me like a hawk during that entire test. Did she think I was going to cheat? I've been watching the site like a hawk to see if the price goes down, but so far it's only decreased by a few dollars.

See also: hawk, like, watch

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

watch someone or something like a hawk

Fig. to watch someone or something very carefully. The teacher watched the pupils like a hawk to make sure they did not cheat on the exam. We had to watch our dog like a hawk in case he ran away.

See also: hawk, like, watch

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

watch like a hawk

Observe very closely, as in I was watching him like a hawk, but I never did see him take your wallet. This simile alludes to the hawk's exceptionally keen sight.

See also: hawk, like, watch

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.

watch someone like a hawk

If you watch someone like a hawk, you pay close attention to everything they do, usually to make sure that they do not do anything wrong. Some guys just sit there and watch her like a hawk, dead sure she's trying to cheat. If we hadn't watched him like a hawk, he would have gone back to London. Note: Hawks have very good eyesight, and are able to see small animals or objects from a great height.

See also: hawk, like, someone, watch

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

have eyes like a hawk

miss nothing of what is going on around you.

See also: eye, have, hawk, like

watch someone like a hawk

keep a vigilant eye on someone, especially to check that they do nothing wrong.

See also: hawk, like, someone, watch

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

have eyes like a ˈhawk

be able to notice or see everything: Mrs Fielding’s bound to notice that chipped glass. The woman has eyes like a hawk! ▶ ˌhawk-ˈeyed adj.

A hawk is a kind of bird of prey (= a bird that kills other creatures for food), and can see small things from very far away.

See also: eye, have, hawk, like

watch somebody/something like a ˈhawk

watch somebody/something very carefully: Unless you watch him like a hawk, he’ll go off without finishing the work. OPPOSITE: turn a blind eye (to something)

A hawk is a bird that kills other creatures for food, and can see small things from very far away.

See also: hawk, like, somebody, something, watch

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

hawk

1. n. someone who supports a warlike U.S. defense policy. (Compare this with dove.) The hawks want to raise taxes and buy tanks.

2. in. to cough mightily; to cough something up. The cold has had me hawking for a week.

3. and the hawk n. the cold winter wind. (see also Mr. Hawkins.) Man, just feel the hawk cut through you!

the hawk

verb

See hawk

See also: hawk

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.