Eye-related phrase or idiom for seeing too many good things












1














When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.










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  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    20 hours ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    20 hours ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    20 hours ago












  • "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    19 hours ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    19 hours ago
















1














When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    20 hours ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    20 hours ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    20 hours ago












  • "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    19 hours ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    19 hours ago














1












1








1







When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.










share|improve this question













When one sees too many good/tempting things at the same time, it can be said that their eyes __________ ?



Is there such an idiom in English?



In Russian one says: глаза разбегаются (lit. eyes scatter)



For example: There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my [eyes scatter] (глаза разбегаются).



The only similar English idiom I know is "like a kid in a candy store", but it is not eye-related.







phrase-requests idiom-requests






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share|improve this question










asked 21 hours ago









Ynhockey

182127




182127








  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    20 hours ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    20 hours ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    20 hours ago












  • "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    19 hours ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    19 hours ago














  • 1




    I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
    – Kate Bunting
    20 hours ago






  • 3




    You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
    – pbasdf
    20 hours ago










  • There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
    – Stefan
    20 hours ago












  • "What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
    – Kris
    19 hours ago










  • You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    19 hours ago








1




1




I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
– Kate Bunting
20 hours ago




I can't think of one. "Spoilt for choice" is the usual phrase for such a situation.
– Kate Bunting
20 hours ago




3




3




You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
– pbasdf
20 hours ago




You might say your eyes popped out or your eyes were on stalks.
– pbasdf
20 hours ago












There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
– Stefan
20 hours ago






There were so many ice cream flavors to choose from -- I could hardly belive my eyes. Or something pleases my eye.
– Stefan
20 hours ago














"What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
– Kris
19 hours ago




"What do your eyes become when you are "spoilt for choice?" -- that, @KateBunting, is the Q I think.
– Kris
19 hours ago












You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
19 hours ago




You might get away with using the phrase eyes agog in the right context, but you should note that that can also be applied to eyes widened in horror, shock, awe, or any other emotion that would cause you to widen your eyes. In the particular context you’ve given here, the most natural expression to me (indirectly involving eyes) would be, “There were so many ice cream flavours to choose from that I didn’t know where to look”.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
19 hours ago










4 Answers
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1














I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






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Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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    0














    I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






    (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





    • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 1




      That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
      19 hours ago



















    0














    It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






    share|improve this answer





























      -2














      Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






      share|improve this answer










      New contributor




      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.














      • 1




        Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
        19 hours ago










      • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
        – Chappo
        18 hours ago













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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

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      active

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      active

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      1














      I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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        1














        I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






        share|improve this answer








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          1












          1








          1






          I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Micah is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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          I agree with eyes popped out, but I would add "of their heads"--Their eyes popped out of their heads.







          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




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          answered 13 hours ago









          Micah

          293




          293




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              0














              I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






              (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





              • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






              share|improve this answer

















              • 1




                That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
                – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                19 hours ago
















              0














              I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






              (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





              • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






              share|improve this answer

















              • 1




                That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
                – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                19 hours ago














              0












              0








              0






              I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






              (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





              • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.






              share|improve this answer












              I suggest you use a more appropriate expression such as mouth-watering in your sentence:






              (of food) having a very good appearance or smell that makes you want to eat





              • There are so many ice cream flavors to choose from, my mouth is watering.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 19 hours ago









              user240918

              24.7k1068148




              24.7k1068148








              • 1




                That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
                – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                19 hours ago














              • 1




                That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
                – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                19 hours ago








              1




              1




              That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              19 hours ago




              That might work with ice cream flavours, but it wouldn’t work if the good things are not food-related.
              – Janus Bahs Jacquet
              19 hours ago











              0














              It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






              share|improve this answer


























                0














                It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






                share|improve this answer
























                  0












                  0








                  0






                  It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.






                  share|improve this answer












                  It would seem the best answer to this would be "cross-eyed" or "seeing double." That's what I have said and heard said when we see lots of things that we weren't expecting to see. These could be good things or bad things- just unexpected things. It can also refer to illusions of too many things.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 13 hours ago









                  Karlomanio

                  47827




                  47827























                      -2














                      Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.














                      • 1




                        Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        19 hours ago










                      • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
                        – Chappo
                        18 hours ago


















                      -2














                      Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.














                      • 1




                        Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        19 hours ago










                      • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
                        – Chappo
                        18 hours ago
















                      -2












                      -2








                      -2






                      Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...






                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      Maybe you could use "eye-watering"? (compare to mouthwatering). I've seen it used in a "negative" sense like in "The costs are eye-watering", but maybe it could be here in a "positive" sense. Like having so many good options to choose from that your eyes start to water...







                      share|improve this answer










                      New contributor




                      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited 18 hours ago









                      Chappo

                      2,62241225




                      2,62241225






                      New contributor




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                      answered 20 hours ago









                      Jep

                      72




                      72




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                      New contributor





                      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                      Jep is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.








                      • 1




                        Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        19 hours ago










                      • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
                        – Chappo
                        18 hours ago
















                      • 1




                        Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
                        – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                        19 hours ago










                      • Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
                        – Chappo
                        18 hours ago










                      1




                      1




                      Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
                      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                      19 hours ago




                      Not really, no. Unlike mouths, where watering is a positive thing (your salivary glands increase the production of saliva in anticipation of food), eyes watering is rarely a good thing – it indicates irritation or pain in the eyes.
                      – Janus Bahs Jacquet
                      19 hours ago












                      Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
                      – Chappo
                      18 hours ago






                      Jep, this isn't a forum, so please don't ask what others think. Also, it's best not to post as an answer a suggestion you're unsure about ("Maybe you could use..."), since an answer on EL&U is expected to be authoritative, detailed, and explain why it is correct. For further guidance, see How to Answer. :-)
                      – Chappo
                      18 hours ago




















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