ENGLISH
REFERENCE

give someone the eye

idiom
Meaning

To show flirtatious signs or sexual interest/attraction with one's eyes.


Examples
SIMPLE

He keeps giving her the eye across the room.

CONTEXTUAL

I noticed the stranger at the bar giving you the eye all night long.

COMPLEX

Throughout the gala, the mysterious guest continued giving her the eye, making it clear he was interested in more than just conversation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

    compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.

  2. 02

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  3. 03

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  5. 05

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  6. 06

    blink of an eye

    A moment (a very short period of time).

  7. 07

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  8. 08

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

Last updated April 17, 2026