052_Idioms_with_Eye

052_Idioms_with_Eye

English idioms can really help you develop your fluency, but they can sometimes be confusing. In this episode Atsushi learns new idioms which use “eye”.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones.
This week we are here with one of our CEP students. CEP is the Continuing Education Program. This is Atsushi. Good evening Atsushi how are you.

Atsushi:

Very well, thank you.

Kevin:

Good. And also here with us to help us out this episode is Nichibei instructor Jeff Hull. And good evening to you Jeff. Thank you for helping out.

Jeff Hull:

You’re welcome.

Kevin:

So without further delay. I’d like to hand this over to Jeff Hull.

Jeff Hull:

Thanks Kevin. So Atsushi, What can we do for you?

Atsushi:

I heard a useful idiom yesterday.

Jeff Hull:

What was that?

Atsushi:

The idiom is to “keep an eye on” something or someone.

Jeff Hull:

Ok. So what does this idiom mean?

Atsushi:

It means to watch something or someone carefully.

Jeff Hull:

Just watch something carefully?

Atsushi:

No, it also means that you have share some responsibility for something.

Jeff Hull:

OK Atsushi. give us some examples of this idiom.

Atsushi:

Sure. This idiom is used to request someone to watch something. Imagine I have to go shopping. I might ask my neighbor, “Could you keep an eye on my son while I go shopping?” Or how about this example. If I was cooking something, I could say “I have to go out for a few minutes. Could you keep an eye on my soup?” If I was in the airport I might say “Could you keep an eye on my suitcase?”

Jeff Hull:

Good examples. You know, there is another use for this idiom.

Atsushi:

What’s that?

Jeff Hull:

Well if you want to tell someone that you will be watching them to make sure they do not make a mistake, you could say something like…”today is your first day of work. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.

Atsushi:

That sounds like my boss!

Jeff Hull:Thanks for introducing the idiom to ‘keep an eye on” something. But I was expecting a question from you.

Atsushi:

Oh, I do have a question!

Jeff Hull:

Well, please go ahead.

Atsushi:

I’d like to know some other idioms which use “an eye”.

Jeff Hull:

OK. There are a few idioms which use “an eye”. Each idiom uses a different preposition, and each one has a different meaning. The preposistions are on, at, for, and too. You’ve already told us about “keep an eye on, next i”ll tell youabout one that is very close, which is to “keep an eye out” for something.

Atsushi:

What’s the difference from “keep an eye on” something.

Jeff Hull:

To “keep an eye out” for something means to look out for something. ,For example if I was looking for someone I could say “Atsushi, keep an eye out for Jack, I want to talk to him. Now how about You Atsushi? Can you use this idiom?

Atsushi:

My turn? “to keep an eye out” for something or someone? Ahh. Keep an eye out for Brad Pitt. He’s visiting Tokyo this week.

Jeff Hull:

Excellent Atsushi! Good example.

Atsushi:

How about another idiom.

Jeff Hull:

OK. How about this one. to ‘Have an eye for” something.

Atsushi:

What does that one mean?

Jeff Hull:

Well to “have an eye for something” means to be able to recognize, appreciate, and make good judgments about something.

Atsushi:

I’m not sure I understand.

Jeff Hull:

Well, for example. I can see that you have a good sense for color and style.

Atsushi:

Well, thank you.

Jeff Hull:

So, I could say “Atsushi has an eye for style.” Now, You try to make a sentence.

Atsushi:

OK. Most good business people have an eye for detail.

Jeff Hull:

Nice example! Now we have just enough time for one more. This one is to “have an eye to” or “with an eye to” this idiom means to have a plan or goal that you are considering.
An example sentence would be.
I have an eye to open a language school in Cambodia. Now you give it a try.

Atsushi:

I have an eye to open a bakery next year.

Jeff Hull:

Now try one with “With an eye to”

Atsushi:

I’m studying Engllish with an eye to developing more international business.

Jeff Hull:

Good job Atsushi, That sounds fine. Can you remember all the idioms that use “an eye?”

Atsushi:

Sure
keep an eye on.
Please keep an eye on my suitcase.
Keep an eye out.
Keep an eye out for Brad Pitt.
Have an eye for.
He has an eye for design.
Have an eye to.
I have an eye to get a Masters of Business Administration.

Jeff Hull:

Excellent

Atsushi:

Thank you very much.

Jeff Hull:

My pleasure.

END