ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dollar-sign eyes

idiom
Meaning

Greediness or a moment of greediness.


Origin

disputed origin

Related to the convention of drawing cartoon characters with their eyes replaced by dollar signs in a moment of greed.

Examples
SIMPLE

He got dollar-sign eyes when he saw the huge reward.

CONTEXTUAL

When the investor heard about the potential profit, she developed dollar-sign eyes and ignored the risks.

COMPLEX

The merchant’s initial concern for his community vanished, replaced by dollar-sign eyes as he realized the immense wealth the new contract promised.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all eyes

    Watching alertly or attentively.

  2. 02

    all eyes and ears

    Very attentive.

  3. 03

    babies in the eyes

    The minute reflection which one sees of oneself in the eyes of another.

  4. 04

    bat one's eyes

    To signal or feign by fluttering one's eyelids, as romantic interest.

  5. 05

    bawl one's eyes out

    To cry, shed tears, weep loudly.

  6. 06

    believe one's eyes

    To believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case.

  7. 07

    clap eyes on

    To see; to lay eyes on.

  8. 08

    close one's eyes

    To ignore something.

Last updated April 17, 2026