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Synonyms

in the public eye

Idioms  

  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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Guthrie’s daily presence on “Today” will also help keep her mother’s case in the public eye.

From Los Angeles Times

Huerta has cycled through the stages of life in the public eye in a way that has seen Latinos relate to her over the decades as our daughter, our sister, our aunt.

From Los Angeles Times

The negotiations were at times tense in the public eye.

From Los Angeles Times

He is already flourishing in the public eye, so performing at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena does not bring added pressure.

From BBC

Like his siblings, he grew up in the public eye and was subjected to scrutiny from a young age.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.