Eye-related phrase or idiom for seeing too many good things












1














When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    2 days ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    2 days ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    2 days ago
















1














When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    2 days ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    2 days ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    2 days ago














1












1








1







When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.










share|improve this question













When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.







phrase-requests idiom-requests






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 2 days ago









Ynhockey

182127




182127








  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    2 days ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    2 days ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    2 days ago














  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    2 days ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    2 days ago








  • 1




    "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    2 days ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    2 days ago








1




1




I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
– Kate Bunting
2 days ago




I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
– Kate Bunting
2 days ago




3




3




You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
– pbasdf
2 days ago




You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
– pbasdf
2 days ago












There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
– Stefan
2 days ago






There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
– Stefan
2 days ago






1




1




"What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
– Kris
2 days ago




"What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
– Kris
2 days ago












You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago




You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















1














I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.


























    0














    I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






    (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





    • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 2




      That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      2 days ago






    • 1




      @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
      – Kris
      17 hours ago



















    0














    It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






    share|improve this answer





















    • Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
      – Ynhockey
      yesterday



















    -2














    Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






    share|improve this answer










    New contributor




    Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.














    • 2




      Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      2 days ago










    • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
      – Chappo
      2 days ago













    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "97"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });














    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f478585%2feye-related-phrase-or-idiom-for-seeing-too-many-good-things%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes








    4 Answers
    4






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    1














    I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      1














      I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





















        1












        1








        1






        I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        New contributor




        Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered 2 days ago









        Micah

        443




        443




        New contributor




        Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.

























            0














            I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






            (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





            • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago






            • 1




              @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
              – Kris
              17 hours ago
















            0














            I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






            (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





            • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






            share|improve this answer

















            • 2




              That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago






            • 1




              @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
              – Kris
              17 hours ago














            0












            0








            0






            I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






            (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





            • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






            share|improve this answer












            I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






            (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





            • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 days ago









            user240918

            24.7k1068148




            24.7k1068148








            • 2




              That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago






            • 1




              @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
              – Kris
              17 hours ago














            • 2




              That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago






            • 1




              @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
              – Kris
              17 hours ago








            2




            2




            That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
            – Janus Bahs Jacquet
            2 days ago




            That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
            – Janus Bahs Jacquet
            2 days ago




            1




            1




            @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
            – Kris
            17 hours ago




            @JanusBahsJacquet Maybe in case of girls.
            – Kris
            17 hours ago











            0














            It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






            share|improve this answer





















            • Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
              – Ynhockey
              yesterday
















            0














            It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






            share|improve this answer





















            • Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
              – Ynhockey
              yesterday














            0












            0








            0






            It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






            share|improve this answer












            It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 days ago









            Karlomanio

            47827




            47827












            • Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
              – Ynhockey
              yesterday


















            • Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
              – Ynhockey
              yesterday
















            Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
            – Ynhockey
            yesterday




            Thanks, I also thought of "cross-eyed" but couldn't find a good reference work to verify that it's common or many examples with it. Can you provide some examples and a source, if possible?
            – Ynhockey
            yesterday











            -2














            Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.














            • 2




              Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago










            • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
              – Chappo
              2 days ago


















            -2














            Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.














            • 2




              Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago










            • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
              – Chappo
              2 days ago
















            -2












            -2








            -2






            Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...







            share|improve this answer










            New contributor




            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 2 days ago









            Chappo

            2,60141225




            2,60141225






            New contributor




            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            answered 2 days ago









            Jep

            552




            552




            New contributor




            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.





            New contributor





            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.






            Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.








            • 2




              Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago










            • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
              – Chappo
              2 days ago
















            • 2




              Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              2 days ago










            • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
              – Chappo
              2 days ago










            2




            2




            Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
            – Janus Bahs Jacquet
            2 days ago




            Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
            – Janus Bahs Jacquet
            2 days ago












            Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
            – Chappo
            2 days ago






            Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
            – Chappo
            2 days ago




















            draft saved

            draft discarded




















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.





            Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.


            Please pay close attention to the following guidance:


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f478585%2feye-related-phrase-or-idiom-for-seeing-too-many-good-things%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            "Incorrect syntax near the keyword 'ON'. (on update cascade, on delete cascade,)

            Alcedinidae

            Origin of the phrase “under your belt”?