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eye up

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To stare at someone because you find them attractive, or to look at something because you want it.

Literal meaning: To direct your eyes upward at something.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To look at someone in a flirtatious or sexually interested way.

"He noticed her eyeing him up from across the room and smiled back."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To look at something carefully because you are interested in buying it, wanting it, or assessing its value.

"She was eyeing up the last piece of cake on the plate."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

To assess or evaluate a rival, opponent, or competitor.

"Both teams were eyeing each other up in the warm-up before the final."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Chiefly British English. Used when someone looks at another person with sexual or romantic interest, or when someone examines an object with desire or competitive intent. Can feel slightly rude depending on context.

Commonly used with

stranger competition prize opponent property player

Forms

Base
eye up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
eyes up
he/she/it
Past simple
eyed up
yesterday
Past participle
eyed up
have + pp
-ing form
eying up
continuous

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