Eye-related phrase or idiom for seeing too many good things
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
|
show 2 more comments
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
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
|
show 2 more comments
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
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
phrase-requests idiom-requests
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
|
show 2 more comments
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
|
show 2 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.
New contributor
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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...
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
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
I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.
New contributor
add a comment |
I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.
New contributor
add a comment |
I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.
New contributor
I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 2 days ago
Micah
443
443
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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.
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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
add a comment |
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.
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.
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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...
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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...
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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...
New contributor
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...
New contributor
edited 2 days ago
Chappo
2,60141225
2,60141225
New contributor
answered 2 days ago
Jep
552
552
New contributor
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
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
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
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
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