eye opener

eye opener

1. An utterly shocking or startling thing, situation, or revelation. Sometimes hyphenated. The former champion's crushing defeat in the first round of the tournament was an eye opener to everyone who had expected her to make it to the finals without resistance. Learning about John's opium addiction was a real eye-opener for me.
2. A strong alcoholic beverage consumed early in the morning or first thing upon waking. Sometimes hyphenated. Primarily heard in US, Canada, South Africa. After going on quite a bender over the weekend, an eye opener was the only thing that could get me moving on Monday morning.
See also: eye, opener
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

eye opener, an

1. A startling or shocking revelation, as in The first sentence of his speech was a real eye opener. This expression alludes to widening one's eyes with surprise. [Mid-1800s]
2. A strong alcoholic drink taken early in the morning, as in After a late night and little sleep, he generally needed an eye opener to jolt him awake . This usage alludes to the alleged wakening effect of such a beverage. [Early 1800s]
See also: eye
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

eye-opener

1. n. a real surprise. This day has been an eye-opener for me.
2. n. a wake-up drink of liquor; a strong drink any time. He knocked back a quick eye-opener and finished dressing.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • eye opener, an
  • eye-opener
  • in demand
  • bleeding edge
  • hit and miss
  • hit or miss
  • hit-and-miss
  • flat chat
  • flat strap
  • once in a lifetime
References in periodicals archive
We at OT agree--here's to 'Eye Opener 2013' and the future of optometry.
Walking in an optical wonderland: Center Pares played host to the fifth student 'Eye Opener' conference this month. OT's Nikki Withers reports on the main highlights from the two-day event
BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain had said, "Natwar Singh's book is an eye opener for everyone; His book has exposed them.
Youth Congress stages protest against ex-minister K.Natwar Singh
"Watch comic relief this @rednoseday, you are in for a shock and eye opener!
BOYBAND AID; 1D see Africa poverty on Comic Relief trip the Razz
The usual 'Eye Opener' workshop session takes on a new twist this year.
Career opportunities: Karen Sparrow, head of professional development at the AOP, looks ahead to the 5th student 'eye opener' conference, which will offer careers advice and opportunities to meet potential employers
It was an eye opener to the family members because you get out and see what the north has to offer.
Rick Evans
Bennett has been relieving his feelings by telling his friends that he will run the editor of the Eye Opener out of town.
Irresponsible Freaks, Highball Guzzlers, and Unabashed Grafters: a Bob Edwards Chrestomathy
The top ten from Liverpool HMV this week is: 1 Vertigo U2 2 Lose My Breath Destiny's Child 3 Curtain Falls Blue 4 Just Lose It Eminem 5 Hungry Eyes Eye Opener 6 Out Of The Blue Delta Goodrem 7 At The Weekend Michael Gray 8 Wonderful Ja Rule 9 Everlasting Love Jamie Cullum 10 My Perogative Britney Spears Win a chart album of your choice by telling me the name of U2's lead singer.
Music: Charts
Focusing on the breath, or noticing when they're not breathing is an eye opener for many.
In a holding pattern? Try these yogas
Ahsan Iqbal said the result of Lodhran by-elections is an eye opener for everyone.
Enemies of Pakistan hatching conspiracies against CPEC: Ahsan Iqbal
The winner was revealed at the AOP student 'Eye Opener' conference at Center Parcs' Longleat resort at the end of November.
City students named AFTA winners
But by far the biggest winner was Hungry Eyes by Eye Opener which made it to No.7 in Scotland, but only managed No.16 on the official UK placings.
The Razz singles and albums: A hit for Hungry Eyes
The production was also an eye opener. Usually Giselle's success rides on the diva dancing the lead, with the ballet in service to her; here, the star of the show was a perfectly calibrated ensemble working together in service to the ballet.
Cuba Dances Capital `Giselle' in D.C. (National)
The trip has been a real eye opener." The second leg takes them to the Canaries.
Force 8 batters charity sail trip
New Delhi, July 23 ( ANI ): A day after Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said that he would not like to see Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the Prime Minister's chair as he did not have secular credentials he was claiming to have, Congress leader Jagdambika Pal said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should see this statement as an "eye opener" and as a warning sign.
BJP should see Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen's comment as an 'eye opener': Congress
As the new academic year begins, students are reminded that the AOP will hold its annual 'Eye Opener' conference at Center Parcs in Longleat Forest, Wiltshire, on November 26-28.
Still time to book for 'Eye Opener'