a twinkle in (one's) daddy's eye
A phrase used to describe the time before one's birth. I never knew my grandparents. They died when I was just a twinkle in my daddy's eye. Don't lecture me on proper grammar, intern! I've been editing this newspaper since you were just a twinkle in your daddy's eye! A: "Mom, you were in a rock band?" B: "Oh, that was a long time ago—back when you were just a twinkle in your daddy's eye."
in the twinkle of an eye
Immediately; very quickly; at once. (A variant of the more common "in the twinkling of an eye.") Just call us on this number if you have any problems, and we'll be back in the twinkle of an eye. Don't worry, boss, I'll have this report typed up in the twinkle of an eye! A: "Henry! I need that file in the twinkle of an eye!" B: "Yep, I'm getting it now!"
twinkle in (one's) eye
1. A facial expression that denotes happiness, amusement, or knowledge of a secret. Just when Rita thought all hope was lost, Jared got a twinkle in his eye that told her he had a plan to get them both out of that sticky situation.
2. A hope or plan that is not yet in existence. You were not even a twinkle in your mother's eye when that photo was taken.
twinkle in (one's) father's eye
A phrase used to describe the time before one's birth. I never knew my grandparents; they died when I was just a twinkle in my father's eye.
twinkle with (something)
1. To flicker or glimmer with intermittent gleams coming from or reflecting off of something. The tree twinkled with the beautiful strings of lights. Her dress positively twinkled with sequins.
2. Of eyes, to seem bright because of some emotion or action. The kids' eyes twinkled with excitement as we pulled into the amusement park. My grandfather's eyes always twinkled with mischief whenever he told that story.
when (one) was a twinkle in (one's) daddy's eye
Long before one was born. I never knew my grandparents—they died when I was a twinkle in my daddy's eye. I was editing this newspaper when he was just a twinkle in his daddy's eye! How dare he presume to lecture me on proper grammar?
when (one) was a twinkle in (one's) father's eye
Long before one was born. I never knew my grandparents—they died when I was a twinkle in my father's eye. I was editing this newspaper when he was just a twinkle in his father's eye! How dare he presume to lecture me on proper grammar?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
a twinkle in someone's eye
or a gleam in someone's eye
If a plan or project is only a twinkle in or a gleam in someone's eye, it is only at the stage of being considered as a possibility. Projects that a few years back were just a twinkle in the planners' eyes are now bricks and cement. At this point, space-launched weapons were still only a gleam in his eye. Note: You can also talk about a glint in someone's eye. The European central bank was still no more than a glint in its creators' eyes. Note: Words such as gleam, glint and twinkle can be used to describe the way people's eyes shine or reflect the light. They often suggest hidden energy, emotion, or humour and refer to the excitement of having a particular idea before putting it into practice.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012