E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Eye.
Latin, oc’ulus; Italian, occhio; Spanish, ojo: Russian, oko; Dutch, oog; Saxon, eáge (where g is pronounced like y); French, œil.
1
In my mind’s eye. In my perceptive thought. The eye sees in two ways: (1) from without; and (2) from within. When we look at anything without, the object is reflected on the retina as on a mirror; but in deep contemplation the inward thought “informs the eye.” It was thus Macbeth saw the dagger; and Hamlet tells Horatio that he saw his deceased father “in his mind’s eye.”
2
In the wind’s eye. Directly opposed to the wind.
3
In the twinkling of an eye. Immediately, very soon. “Au moindre clin d’œil.” Similar phrases are: “In a brace of shakes,” “In the twinkling of a bed-post.” (See BED-POST.)
4
My eye! or Oh, my eye! an exclamation of astonishment. (See ALL MY EYE.)
5
One might see that with half an eye. Easily; at a mere glance.
6
The king’s eyes. His chief officers. An Eastern expression.
7
“One of the seven
Who in God’s presence, nearest to the throne
Stand ready at command, and are his eyes
That run thro all the heavens, or down to earth
Bear his swift errands.”
Milton: Paradise Lost, iii. 652.
To have an eye on. To keep strict watch on the person or thing referred to.
8
To have an eye to the main chance. To keep constantly in view the profit to arise; to act from motives of policy. (See MAIN CHANCE.)
9
To see eye to eye. To be of precisely the same opinion; to think both alike.
