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

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

He could see with half an eye that Mrs. Lee distrusted him.

From Bat Wing Bowles by Coolidge, Dane

The fool is always telling you he can see with half an eye.

From Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 1 of 3) by Loudon, Margracia

She is evidently an old flame of his, and anybody can see with half an eye that she has a pretty good grip on him.

From The Real Man by Lynde, Francis

Any one, I would have said, might see with half an eye that Worth Gilbert had bought Clayte's suitcase so that he could get a thrill out of hunting for it.

From The Million-Dollar Suitcase by MacGowan, Alice