lay eyes on, to
Definition:
To see, to look at. This expression traces back to Middle English manuscripts from around 1225. The illustrious poet Andrew Marvell showcased its elegance in his work Mr. Smirke (1676), exclaiming, “The fairest thing that ever eyes were laid on.”
Related Terms:
- Behold
- Witness
- Cast eyes upon
- Glimpse
- Spot
Synonyms:
- Observe
- View
- Notice
- Perceive
- Detect
Antonyms:
- Ignore
- Overlook
- Miss
- Disregard
Inspirational Quotes:
- “The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” – Elizabeth Foley
- “To lay eyes on true beauty is to have looked into the soul.” – Anonymous
Proverbs:
- “Seeing is believing.”
- “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Literature & Media Suggestions:
- Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: A tale of love and discovery
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: Intense, brooding looks aplenty
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Full of side glances and discerning stares
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: The portrait that eyes never forget
- “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash: A melodic celebration of vision
- “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel: A classic anthem of love and sight
Humorous Take:
“Lay eyes on me, baby, and don’t be shy; people won’t buy if they don’t look in the shop.” – A Modern Marketing Laurent
### Which of these is a valid usage of the idiom "lay eyes on"?
- [x] "I’ve never laid eyes on a more beautiful sunrise."
- [ ] "I’ve never laid pizzas on such a sunny day."
- [ ] "I’ve never laid eggs in a prettier basket."
- [ ] "I’ve never laid bricks under such good conditions."
> **Explanation:** "I’ve never laid eyes on a more beautiful sunrise" correctly uses the idiom to imply seeing something stunning for the first time. The rest sound more culinary or construction-based than idiomatic.
### Which phrase fits best?
- [ ] Lay spoons on
- [ ] Lay clocks under
- [x] Lay eyes on
- [ ] Lay socks over
> **Explanation:** The correct idiom is "lay eyes on," meaning to see or look at something. The others are, let’s be honest, spurious at best!
### True or False: "Lay hands on" shares a similar structure to "lay eyes on"
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! "Lay hands on" also follows this structure, typically meaning to seize or grab something physically, though context gives it various nuances.
### Which context suits "lay eyes on" best?
- [x] Gazing at a masterpiece in a gallery
- [ ] Counting sheep to fall asleep
- [ ] Juggling three oranges
- [ ] Sketching a landscape
> **Explanation:** Gazing at a masterpiece in a gallery fits perfectly. It's a moment of first-time seeing that the idiom beautifully captures.
### What's Andrew Marvell's contribution to "lay eyes on"?
- [x] Used it in his work *Mr. Smirke* in 1676
- [ ] Invented sunglasses for better seeing!
- [ ] Wrote a cookbook named after the phrase
- [ ] Coined it during a football match
> **Explanation:** Andrew Marvell indeed brought elegance to "lay eyes on" in his 1676 work *Mr. Smirke*. Impressive for a 17th-century poetics virtuoso!
Final Thought:
Next time you “lay eyes on” something new, remember, it isn’t just a glance—it’s a venture into the history of language and the eloquence of Andrew Marvell’s poetic world.
Farewell:
Stay curious, keep observing, and never stop laying eyes on the marvels around you.
Published by “Whimsical Words Press,” 2023.
