in the public eye

1. Under the attention and scrutiny of the public, as in The rock star's activities were very much in the public eye. This usage, which is similar to in the limelight, dates from the late 1800s. It should not be confused with the similar-sounding in the eyes of the public, which means “in the opinion or views of the general public” (as in In the eyes of the public the mayor was guilty of perjury). Also see in the eye of, def. 2.

Example Sentences

"We acknowledged that it's something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye."

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Growing up in the public eye is a very weird thing — you have no control over any narrative on the internet.

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Across social media, users dug up Allen’s past offenses: Twitter rows with rapper Azealia Banks, one-sided kisses with Zoë Kravitz and other questionable behavior from Allen’s long life in the public eye.

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“You start to be more out there and in the public eye,” the writer-producer said, “and I think the natural progression is you just get a little more protective.”

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So yeah, I just think people who are in the public eye have an experience inside of a social construct that is so violently unusual.

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Related Words

• acclaimed www.thesaurus.com
• eminent 
• illustrious 
• important 
• infamous 
• known 
• leading 
• notable 
• noted 
• notorious 
• outstanding 
• popular 
• prominent 
• recognized www.thesaurus.com
• renowned 
• reputable