catch (one's) eye

catch (one's) eye

1. To attract one's attention, often by making eye contact. The server still hasn't taken our order—we just can't catch her eye.

2. To attract one's interest, especially due to being visually appealing or attractive. That dress in the window caught my eye immediately—can I try it on? Your store needs a bold sign that will catch the eye of anyone walking down the street. I see that the new girl in school has caught your eye.

See also: 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

catch someone's eye

Attract someone's attention, as in That window display really catches my eye. [Early 1800s]

See also: catch, eye

catch someone's eye

or

catch the eye of someone

COMMON If something or someone catches your eye, you notice them because they are very unusual, interesting or beautiful in appearance. A flower arrangement caught my eye as I walked into the shop. He turned the page. The picture caught his eye instantly. She caught the eye of 49-year-old Frank Sinatra on the set one day and promptly flew on his jet to Palm Springs for the weekend. Note: You can also say that something is eye-catching when it is very unusual and interesting in appearance. She was wearing a very eye-catching designer hat. There's an eye-catching headline on the front page of the Sunday Times.

See also: catch, eye

catch someone's eye

1 be noticed by someone. 2 attract someone's attention by making eye contact with them.

See also: catch, eye

catch somebody’s ˈeye

attract somebody’s attention: I liked all the paintings, but the one that really caught my eye was a Matisse. ♢ Can you try to catch the waiter’s eye? ▶ ˈeye-catching adj.: an eye-catching advertisement

See also: catch, eye