hawk

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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

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, buzzard, hawk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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