eye of the beholder

eye of the beholder

The subjective appreciation or evaluation made by an individual viewer, participant, appraiser, etc. From the proverb "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" (i.e., an approximation of beauty will differ greatly between different people). It's only in the eye of the beholder that such a nebulous thing as "truth" or "justice" has any real meaning. You may not like my new jacket, but style is in the eye of the beholder.
See also: beholder, eye, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • beauty is in the eye of the beholder
  • beholder
  • teach a man to fish
  • village
  • it takes a village
  • bushel
  • a bad apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) barrel
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bunch
  • a rotten apple spoils the (whole) bushel
References in periodicals archive
"Eye of the Beholder" is a juried 2-D and 3-D exhibit featuring various mediums with a concentration on wearable art.
Another man's meat is another man's poison so I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I think this is in the category of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Like art, what turns some people on drives others away.
In an interview with The Journal Mr Davey disagreed with those opposed to wind farms in place across Northumberland, saying that while it is not his place to say what people should like, critics had to realise "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
Out of gratitude, you get a copy of Melvin Konner's The Jewish Body, because beauty, certainly, is in the eye of the beholder.
Their topics include a children's rights perspective on poverty; a perspective from social work on child poverty, children's rights and participation; whether poverty lies in the eye of the beholder; the role of labor market activation, education, and social capital investments in escaping poverty with the children; making a case for action regarding childhood poverty in the European Union, and a policy configuration approach to child poverty.
Whilst, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I must say that in my opinion the "new" Middlesbrough College building is magnificent.
Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder, but the design of the proposed hotel is hardly inspiring.
For example, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' is probably better expressed as 'attraction is in the eye of the beholder'," said Solomon.
Seuss-like flavor that adds greatly to the magnified reverse charm of "Ten Unusual Features of Lulu McDunn." A whole new take on the concept that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," combined with "Be yourself' and finally "Accept yourself" sums up some of the important morals of this unique counting verse fable.
After that, a little over a year from now, the big picture on newspaper circulation will be largely in the eye of the beholder.
I appreciate beauty is in the eye of the beholder but what's going on with some of the utter nonsense exhibited these days?
Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Through their artwork, artists present their own unique visions of the world.
elitism is in the eye of the beholder. Elitism isn't objective, isn't simply about being the best or selecting the best in some field, whether college students or football players.