believe one's eyes en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
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(idiomatic, in the negative) To believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case.
[H]e could scarcely believe his eyes as she appeared on the floor unsurpassed in beauty and grace, her favor sought by all. Was that the simple girl who […] had leaned against his shoulder?
1884, Edward Payson Roe, chapter 59, in Nature's Serial Story:She was so amazed at the change in him that she could not believe her eyes.
1914, Zane Grey, chapter 3, in Light of the Western Stars:Millions of Greeks worldwide erupted in joyful celebration, hardly believing their eyes after Greece beat hosts Portugal in the Euro 2004 finals.
2004 July 5, “Charisteas: We are the Best in Europe”, in Sofia News Agency, Bulgaria, retrieved 27 Aug 2013:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| believes one's eyes | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| believe one's own eyes | alternative | lexicographic | |
| believed one's eyes | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| believed one's eyes | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| believing one's eyes | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Relateds
Translations (7)
pl wierzyć własnym oczom (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case) · sv tro sina ögon (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case) · hu hisz a szemének (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case) · fr en croire ses yeux (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case) · no tro sine egne øyne (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case) · fi uskoa silmiään (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case) · es dar crédito (to believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case)