look (someone) in the eye

1 of 2

idiom (1)

: to look directly at (someone who is also looking at one)
I wasn't afraid to look him (right) in the eye and tell him just what I thought of him!

look someone in the eye

2 of 2

idiom (2)

: to look directly at someone
She looked me (right) in the eye and told me I was fired.

Examples of look (someone) in the eye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Idiom
As people became more and more fixated on their electronic devices, the ability to look someone in the eye and converse withered. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024 The ability to show up at a branch and look someone in the eye can help. Ron Lieber, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2023 Spicer never wanted any barista to have to look someone in the eye with nothing to offer. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2022

Dictionary Entries Near look (someone) in the eye

look snappy

look (someone) in the eye

look someone in the eye

Cite this Entry

“Look (someone) in the eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/look%20%28someone%29%20in%20the%20eye. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!