have eyes in the back of one's head en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From Latin in occipitio quoque habet oculos ("she has eyes even on the back of her head"), from Plautus, Aulularia (The Pot of Gold), act 1, scene 1.
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To be particularly, especially uncannily, observant, as if able to see in all directions at once.
Don't think you can misbehave while I'm cooking dinner. I have eyes in the back of my head.
It's so busy at our office you need eyes in the back of your head to work here!
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| having eyes in the back of one's head | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| has eyes in the back of one's head | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| had eyes in the back of one's head | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| had eyes in the back of one's head | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Translations (6)
fr avoir des yeux derrière la tête (to be uncannily observant) · sv ha ögon i nacken (to be uncannily observant) · fi olla silmät selässä (to be uncannily observant) · pl mieć oczy z tyłu głowy (to be uncannily observant) · es tener ojos en la nuca (to be uncannily observant) · fr avoir des yeux dans le dos (to be uncannily observant)