What does “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” mean?
"See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye" means to notice something quickly and briefly, usually from the side of your vision.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I saw something out of the corner of my eye but when I turned, there was nothing there.
Example
As I walked down the dark hallway, I saw something out of the corner of my eye and felt a chill run down my spine.
Example
While driving, I saw something out of the corner of my eye and slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting it
Is “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” effectively in context?
You can use "See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye" to describe the experience of noticing something quickly and briefly, usually from the side of your vision. It implies that the thing you saw may have been unexpected or mysterious. For example, if you're telling a friend about a strange experience, you might say, 'I was walking in the park when I "saw something out of the corner of my eye", but when I turned to look, it was gone.'
- 1Supernatural Encounters
While staying in a haunted house, she constantly saw things out of the corner of her eye, adding to her fear and unease.
- 2Suspenseful Moments
In a suspenseful movie scene, the protagonist sees something out of the corner of his eye, heightening the tension for the audience.
- 3Paranormal Investigations
During a paranormal investigation, the investigator sees something out of the corner of their eye, capturing potential evidence of supernatural activity.
Similar phrases to “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye”:
Catch a glimpse
To see something briefly or partially
Example
She caught a glimpse of a shooting star before it disappeared.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” come from?
The origin of the phrase "See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye" is unknown.
Is “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” common in everyday conversation?
"See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye" is not a very common phrase in everyday conversation. It is more commonly used in storytelling, especially in genres like horror, mystery, or suspense.
What tone does “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” have?
"See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye" conveys a tone of surprise, curiosity, and sometimes fear. It suggests that what was seen was unexpected or possibly even supernatural.
Can “See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye” be used in informal and formal settings?
"See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye" can be used in both informal and formal settings, but it is more commonly used in informal conversations or in creative writing. It may not be appropriate for more formal situations unless discussing literature or storytelling.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I "saw something out of the corner of my eye" and it gave me a fright.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Did you "see something out of the corner of your eye"?' to ask if someone noticed something unusual.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- notice something in your peripheral vision
- spot something from the corner of your eye
- catch sight of something quickly
Antonyms
- focus directly on something
- see something clearly and directly
- miss something completely
