make sheep's eyes at
Meaning: To look at someone in a lovesick, foolish way (dated).
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The shy boy made sheep's eyes at her all through the lesson.”
Category: Animals
Origin: A sheep's gaze is soft and simple. The phrase is found from the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Des yeux de merlan frit — literally: Fried whiting's eyes
More idioms — Animals
- you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar — Kindness persuades people better than harshness.
- a rare bird — An unusual person or thing.
- follow the herd — To do what everyone else does without thinking.
- a leopard can't change its spots — People cannot change their basic nature.
- set the cat among the pigeons — To say or do something that causes trouble or uproar.
- all bark and no bite — Threatening or boastful but not actually dangerous.
More English idioms
- much ado about nothing — A lot of fuss about something unimportant.
- all grist to the mill — Everything can be turned to use or advantage.
- you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs — Achieving something worthwhile involves some loss or damage.
- in a pickle — In a difficult situation.
- have one's work cut out — To face a difficult task.
- mum's the word — Keep this secret; say nothing.
From our untranslatable words
- Jeong — A deep emotional bond that forms slowly over time through shared experience — the invisib…
- Forelsket — The overwhelming, almost dizzy euphoria of falling in love — that specific state of early…
- Friluftsliv — The philosophy and practice of spending time outdoors — not as exercise or sport, but as…