"see with half an eye" 是一个口语化的表达,字面意为“用半只眼睛看”,实际含义是:
一眼就能看出;很容易察觉;显而易见(强调某件事简单到不需要费力气观察,连“半只眼睛”都能看明白)。该短语通常用于描述某件事的“明显性”,后面常接宾语从句(说明“看出的内容”),或与“that/what/how”等引导词连用。
1、 主语 + see with half an eye + that从句(最常用)
2、 It's easy to see with half an eye + that从句(强调“容易”)
1、 基础用法:
He saw with half an eye that she was upset—her eyes were red.
(他一眼就看出她难过了——她的眼睛红红的。)
2、 强调“易察觉”:
Even a kid can see with half an eye that this machine isn't working.
(连小孩都能一眼看出这台机器坏了。)
3、 被动/It句型:
It's not hard to see with half an eye what he's trying to do.
(很容易就能看出他想干什么。)
see at a glance(一眼看出)
be obvious to sb.(对某人来说很明显)
tell at once(立刻察觉)
该短语偏口语,常用于日常对话或非正式写作(如博客、小说),正式文体(如学术论文)中较少使用。
不要与类似短语混淆:
turn a blind eye to(对…视而不见,故意忽略)
have an eye for(有…的眼光/鉴赏力)
总结:这个短语本质是用夸张的“半只眼睛”来突出事情的显而易见,重点在“不费吹灰之力就能察觉”。