open (one's) eyes


open (one's) eyes

1. To see or realize the truth about something. Open your eyes, Stan—they're just using you for cheap labor!2. To cause one to see or realize the truth about something. The documentary really opened my eyes about the conditions in that country.See also: eye, open

open one's eyes

Become or make someone aware of the truth of a situation, as in It's time you opened your eyes to the politics of this office, or The trip to Zimbabwe opened her eyes to the difficulties faced by developing nations. [Second half of 1800s] See also: eye, open

open your eyes

If you open your eyes, you suddenly make an effort to notice things that you had not noticed before. Every city has its problems. You have only to open your eyes to see them.See also: eye, open

open someone's eyes

enlighten someone about certain realities; cause someone to realize or discover something. 1998 Scoular Anderson 1314 & All That These events opened his eyes to what had happened to his country. Now his one wish was that Scotland should be independent. See also: eye, open

open your/somebody’s ˈeyes (to something)

realize or make somebody realize the truth about something: The trip to China really opened our eyes. ♢ He opened my eyes to the beauty of poetry. ▶ an ˈeye-opener noun: The programme on police methods was a real eye-opener for me.See also: eye, open

open (one's) eyes

To become aware of the truth of a situation.See also: eye, open