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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Have an eye for

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To be good at noticing or judging a particular kind of thing.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. She has an eye for colour and makes simple rooms look welcoming.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To be good at noticing or judging a particular kind of thing.
Show the answer

Have an eye for — To be good at noticing or judging a particular kind of thing.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Have an eye for” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To be good at noticing or judging a particular kind of thing.

Compare: She has an eye for colour and makes simple rooms look welcoming.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it to praise someone’s ability to spot detail, quality or visual possibilities. It suits conversation and workplace discussion.

More examples in context

  • We need someone who has an eye for detail to check the final layout.
  • He has an eye for promising ideas before anyone else notices them.

Usage note

Follow for with the thing noticed. This differs from “keep an eye on,” which means watch or monitor something.

A short conversation

A: Who could check whether the poster looks balanced?
B: Ask Lina. She has an eye for design.
A: I will show her the draft.

One more practice question

What does “He has an eye for detail” mean?

A. He deliberately ignores small details.
B. He notices details particularly well.

Check your answer

B. The expression describes an ability to notice or judge details.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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