eagle eye

noun

1. unusually sharp visual powers; keen ability to watch or observe.
2. a person who has sharp vision or who maintains a keen watchfulness.
3. alert watchfulness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle eye¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Idioms and Phrases

Unusually keen sight; also, keen intellectual vision. For example, Antiques dealers have an eagle eye for valuable objects , or A good manager has an eagle eye for employee errors . [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

This has been around at least since the 1960s, when former Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist was involved in “Operation Eagle Eye,” a Republican voter suppression operation in Arizona.

From Salon

I have dozens of friendship bracelets, a comfortable pair of sneakers and my eagle eye.

From Los Angeles Times

But Spuck, a former director of the Zurich Ballet, retained his trademark calm and courtesy in the rehearsal two weeks ago, as he kept an eagle eye on the dancers and gave directions to rehearsal assistants, stage technicians and musicians.

From New York Times

As they transform a flat wall into a beautiful work of art, the Boyle Heights-born couple say, they pour part of their hearts into each brushstroke through concentration, a steady hand and an eagle eye for mistakes.

From Los Angeles Times

In the meantime, consider putting a fraud alert on your credit reports in case someone tries to open credit in your name, and go over your bank statements and credit reports with an eagle eye.

From Seattle Times