cunning eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cunning eye" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is observant and perceptive, often with a hint of cleverness or deceit. Example: "With her cunning eye, she quickly noticed the discrepancies in the report that others had overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I try to look at the bigger picture, but always with a cunning eye on bats.

The Guardian

We must adapt resourcefully to industrialism as a necessary stage of social evolution, monitoring the process with a cunning eye for its life-saving potentialities.

Stanford University

Broner is an exceptional fighter in the ring with power in either hand, fabulous speed and a cunning eye for an angle.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With his cold, cunning eyes set in a doll's face and his hair worn long in a fluffy pony tail (unlike his short-haired fellow soldiers), Kano wafts an androgynous sexual ambiguity that ignites an erotic brush fire in this monastic environment.

The New York Times

While Paul is shown as old and frail, he is given a broad chest and cunning eyes that indicate his intelligence and guile.

Wikipedia

By the end of the 19th century, the popular image of the "Jewish type," portrayed invariably as the Jewish male, "consisted of a hooked nose, curling nasal folds (ali nasi), thick prominent lips, receding forehead and chin, large ears, curly black hair, dark skin, stooped shoulders, [weak flat feet, deflated rump], and piercing, cunning eyes" (Isaac, 1940, cited in Gilman, 1993, p. 18).

Huffington Post

I especially like the lawyer Hansl Genauer in the story "Him With His Foot in His Mouth" (1982), with his "deep wrinkles of cunning" and eyes "like the eyes you glimpse in the heated purple corners of the small-mammal house".

The Guardian - Books

It has been suggested that there's something in the Italian character that creates the perfect one: courage, cunning, an eye for an iconic image combined with an iconoclastic, anarchic streak and, most of all, a sixth sense about betrayal.

The Guardian

In his guise of Muslim convert and American turncoat, he has even met the elusive leader "with cunning narrow eyes".

The New York Times - Books

Komar is fat, looks much older than Melamid but isn't, has a dark beard and small, cunning green eyes and red lips — a minor character out of Gogol, probably a horse trader.

The New Yorker

The blonde siren Paula planted in the couple's midst is played by the English fashion model Agyness Deyn, who comports herself with genuine cunning, her eyes alert to every shift in temperature in the room even when the odd line gets trampled.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cunning eye" when you want to imply both intelligence and a degree of slyness or strategic thinking in someone's observation. It adds a layer of complexity to the character or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "cunning eye" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "discerning eye" or "keen observation" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cunning eye" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing a characteristic of someone or something. It combines the adjective "cunning", implying cleverness and perhaps a degree of deceit, with "eye", referring to the ability to observe. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cunning eye" is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, describing a person's perceptive nature and implying a level of slyness or intelligence. While not frequently used, it appears across various contexts, with a stronger presence in news and media. When employing this phrase, consider the potential for implying a negative connotation, and choose alternatives like "shrewd gaze" or "discerning eye" if a more neutral tone is desired. The sources that employ the term are generally authoritative, underscoring its acceptability in varied, albeit infrequent, use cases. Overall, "cunning eye" is a useful descriptor when aiming to convey both intelligence and a certain strategic outlook.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrewd gaze

Emphasizes a sharp, insightful observation rather than outright cunning.

astute observation

Highlights the intelligence and perceptiveness in the act of noticing something.

keen perception

Focuses on the sharpness and accuracy of sensory or intellectual understanding.

sharp insight

Underlines the depth and penetrating quality of understanding.

discerning look

Suggests an ability to distinguish and appreciate subtle differences or qualities.

penetrating gaze

Highlights the intensity and thoroughness of the observation.

calculating gaze

Implies a cold and scheming intent behind the observation.

crafty look

Emphasizes the skillful deception involved in the act of observing.

sly glance

Highlights the secretive or furtive nature of the observation.

wily perception

Focuses on the deceptive or strategic nature of the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "cunning eye" in a sentence?

You can use "cunning eye" to describe someone who is observant and perceptive, often with a hint of cleverness or deceit. For example: "With her cunning eye, she quickly noticed the discrepancies in the report that others had overlooked."

What phrases are similar to "cunning eye"?

Alternatives include "shrewd gaze", "astute observation", or "keen perception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cunning eye" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cunning eye" may be too informal or suggestive for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral alternative like "discerning eye".

What does it mean to describe someone as having a "cunning eye"?

It means they are intelligent and observant, with a possible implication of slyness or strategic intent in their observations. The phrase suggests they are not just seeing, but also understanding and potentially planning based on what they see.