eyeopener

[ ahy-oh-puh-ner ]

noun

1. an experience or disclosure that gives one a sudden realization or understanding:

   Her disclosures about her childhood were a real eyeopener.

2. a drink of liquor taken early in the day and intended to wake a person up fully.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyeopener¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; eye + opener

Example Sentences

"It’s an eyeopener. You really, really appreciate what foreign players have to go through. Not just communicating, but then trying to figure out how to play the game at the highest level," Servais said.

From Fox News

“It’s an eyeopener. You really, really appreciate what foreign players have to go through. Not just communicating, but then trying to figure out how to play the game at the highest level,” Servais said.

From Washington Times

I knew sailing was an Olympic sport, but it was such an eyeopener to see like a 16-year-old and a 60-year-old all preparing for the same thing.

From Salon

To Junker, fresh from persuading the Spanish not to make the future of Gibraltar one of the main withdrawal issues, it was an eyeopener.

From The Guardian

I'm reading it now, and it is an eyeopener.

From New York Times