believe one’s own eyes, one cannot
“Believe one’s own eyes, one cannot” – An iconic phrase signaling that moment when astonishment strikes you so hard, your own senses feel untrustworthy. Dating back to the seventeenth century, this expression encapsulates the shock we feel when reality seems too strange to be true.
Synonyms & Similar Terms
- “Seeing is believing, but can you trust your eyes?”
- “Can’t believe what I’m seeing!”
- “Is this real life?”
- “Pinch me, I must be dreaming!”
Antonyms
- “Seeing things crystal clear”
- “Plain as day”
- “Obvious to the naked eye”
Quotes & Proverbs
- Mark Twain: “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”
- Proverb: “Seeing is deceiving.” – Only a step apart from the more familiar “Seeing is believing,” this turns the concept on its head, asserting skepticism.
Literature, Books, and Movies
- Book: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – A world where Alice often cannot believe her eyes.
- Movie: The Truman Show – Truman Burbank discovers the fabricated reality around him.
- Poetry: Electric Light by Seamus Heaney – Where perceptions are questioned and examined.
- Song: “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash – Related in title but turns around to trusting perception after turmoil.
Humorous Take
Imagine opening your refrigerator to find your cat eating the leftover pizza. 😹 You blink, shake your head, and wonder if you need a new pair of glasses or a reality check!
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] Believe one’s own eyes, one cannot
- [ ] Trust your dog's perspective
- [ ] Call it a fishy vision
- [ ] Is that a rabbit wearing glasses?
> **Explanation:** "Believe one’s own eyes, one cannot" is a genuine phrase expressing disbelief at a personal sensory perception, rooted in historical literature.
### Which one pairs best with the idiom ‘Believe one’s own eyes, one cannot’?
- [ ] It's all about the catfish
- [x] Seeing is believing
- [ ] An apple a day keeps the doctor away
- [ ] Runs like a cheetah
> **Explanation:** "Seeing is believing" is the closest pair, making perception a point of belief, whereas the idiom in question highlights skepticism about one’s own senses.
### True or False: "Believe one’s own eyes, one cannot" is used to express certainty.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. This idiom is used to express doubt or disbelief in one’s own perception.
Farewell Thought
“May your senses always guide you correctly, but when they don’t, may you still find the humor to laugh it off.” – Aston Merriment
