hawk's eye

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The ability to see very clearly and notice small details that most people miss.

   Grammar: Used after 'have' or with 'with': She has a hawk's eye for detail.

   Patterns

   • have a hawk's eye for something
   • with a hawk's eye

   She has a hawk's eye for spelling mistakes; nothing gets past her.

   The editor went through my report with a hawk's eye and found three errors.

   Only someone with a hawk's eye could spot the difference between the two paintings.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   A look or stare that is very sharp and attentive, as if watching closely.

   Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'keep a hawk's eye on someone/something'.

   Patterns

   • keep a hawk's eye on someone
   • watch someone with a hawk's eye

   The teacher kept a hawk's eye on the class during the exam.

   He watched the children with a hawk's eye, making sure they didn't wander off.

   The security guard keeps a hawk's eye on everyone who enters the building.

Common combinations

have a hawk's eye for detail

Good accountants have a hawk's eye for detail.

keep a hawk's eye on

Please keep a hawk's eye on the soup while I answer the phone.

with a hawk's eye

She examined the contract with a hawk's eye.

Synonyms and how they differ

eagle eye

Very similar, but 'eagle eye' is more common in everyday speech and often suggests extreme sharpness.

sharp eye

Less vivid; it simply means good at noticing things, without the image of a bird.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hawk's eye”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words