see with half an eye

Idioms  

1. Notice the obvious, tell at a glance, as in I could see with half an eye that he was sleeping through the entire concert. This hyperbolic expression, which presumably alludes to an eye that is only half-open, was first recorded in 1579.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

see with half an eye

Any one could see with half an eye that the woman was as pious as could be—the kind that was hand and glove with parsons.

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Mrs. Hulver was in what she termed "a fine taking," as Eola could see with half an eye.

From The Outcaste by F. E. Penny

"I can see with half an eye that there is some fresh trouble."

From The Landleaguers by Anthony Trollope

Everybody said, as a matter of course, afterwards, that the whole affair was perfectly absurd, and that anybody could see with half an eye that Humphrey was not a Trevor.

From Thereby Hangs a Tale Volume One by George Manville Fenn

But I know you'll overlook it; she don't mean nothing by it, as you can see with half an eye.

From The Wayfarers by J. C. Snaith