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glaze over

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

When your eyes go blank and stop looking interested, usually because you are bored or confused.

Literal meaning: To become covered in a glaze (a shiny coating) — the image is of eyes losing their spark and becoming dull like glass.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

For one's eyes to become unfocused and expressionless due to boredom, tiredness, or a failure to understand.

"His eyes glazed over about ten minutes into the presentation."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

To become covered with a shiny, smooth surface (literal, non-idiomatic use).

"As the temperature dropped, the puddles glazed over with a thin layer of ice."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Very common idiom used to describe the physical sign of someone losing interest in a conversation or lecture. Almost always refers to eyes. Used both literally (eyes going blank) and figuratively (describing someone's general lack of engagement). Common in both British and American English.

Commonly used with

eyes look expression face stare lecture

Forms

Base
glaze over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
glazes over
he/she/it
Past simple
glazed over
yesterday
Past participle
glazed over
have + pp
-ing form
glazing over
continuous

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