lay (one's) eyes on (something)
lay (one's) eyes on (something)
To see or look at someone or something, especially for the first time. A possessive adjective can be used between "lay" and "eyes." I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on my son. That sunset may be the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on. He knew he had to buy the watch from the minute he laid his eyes on it.
See also: eye, lay, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
lay eyes on
Also, clap or set eyes on . Look at, see, as in As soon as I laid eyes on him I knew he would be perfect for the lead in our play, or I'd never set eyes on such a beautiful gown. The first term dates from the early 1200s and the third from the late 1300s; the second, using clap in the sense of "a sudden movement," dates from the first half of the 1800s.
See also: eye, lay, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
clap/lay/set ˈeyes on somebody/something
(informal) see somebody/something: I’ve no idea who she is. I’ve never clapped eyes on her before. The moment I set eyes on the house, I knew I would live there.See also: clap, eye, lay, on, set, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- lay eyes on
- word is good
- swine
- cast pearls before swine
- cast pearls before swine, to
- pearl
- mince words, not to
- not mince words
- not mince your words
- put trust in