Heading
that he never could spy Such a thing as a ghost with a drop in his eye.
In the twinkling of an eye.—See Bedpost.
To bet one's eyes.—See Bet.
My eyes! intj. phr. (common).—An expression of surprise.
1837. Dickens, Oliver Twist, ch. viii. 'My eyes, how green!' exclaimed the young gentleman. 'Why a beak's a madgst'rate.'
Eyelashes. To hang on by the
eyelashes or eyebrows, verb.
phr. (common).—To be very
tenacious; also, by implication, to
be in a difficulty. Cf., Hang on
by the splash-board.
Eye-limpet, subs. (common).—An
artificial eye.
Eye-opener, subs. (American).—1.
Drink generally; specifically,
a mixed drink.
2. (general).—Anything surprising or out of the way.
1879. Notes and Queries, 5th S., xi., 140. His lecture must have been a lively and profitable eye-opener for the somnolence of a cathedral town.
1888. Cornhill Mag., March, p. 228. If Joanna was ever so blessed as to hear her sing 'Houp la!' it would be a regular eye-opener to her.
1889. Answers, 23 Feb., p. 194, col. 1. No doubt the enclosed will be an eye-opener for you.
3. (venery).—The penis. For synonyms, see Creamstick.
Eyeteeth. To have cut one's
eyeteeth, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To
have learned wisdom.
1748. T. Dyche, Dictionary (5th ed). Eye-teeth (s.), those immediately under the eye; also quickness or sharpness of understanding and parts, are sometimes so called.
1835. Haliburton, Clockmaker 1 S., ch. xvi. Them 'ere fellers cut their eye-teeth afore they ever sot foot in this country, I expect.
Eye-water, subs. (common).—Gin.
For synonyms, see Drinks.
1869. Whyte Melville, M. or N., p. 66. On this minnit, off at six, Buster; two bob an' a bender, and a three of eye-water, in?
1886. Judy, 4 August, p. 58. He imbibed stupendous quantities of jiggered gin, dog's nose, and Paddy's eye-water.
