devious eyes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devious eyes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone whose eyes suggest cunning, deceit, or a hidden agenda. Example: "She looked at him with devious eyes, hinting at her ulterior motives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Emma Stone flashes her devious eyes at the camera as paparazzi snap photos of her on the set of her latest film "The Gangster Squad".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Len looked like a Wall Street type in his black wool trench coat, and there was something devious in the eyes.

The New York Times

Ryder is devious and witchy, her eyes flashing, her crinkly voice developing knife edges.

The New Yorker

Looking at me all the while, a devious glint in those eyes, he began to flap his arms.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead his songs crackle with the first blush of seduction and power — sweet enough to deceive his youngest fans, and probably their parents too, but absolutely delivered with a devious glint in his eye.

The New York Times - Arts

Here before our eyes the supposedly devious Osborne announces the Tories' second  election theme, more than two years in advance: Miliband and Balls caused this mess!

Independent

Then a devious gleam appeared in her eye, and she realized what to tell her children.

The New York Times - Arts

After finding out she was pregnant following an impromptu booty call with the youngest Lyon, and observing how Rhonda's baby was used to get Andre back in father Lyon's good graces, we saw a devious plot form in Anika's eyes.

Los Angeles Times

His eyes lit up with a devious glare.

Huffington Post

Are we huddled there in the hope of enlightenment or do we have a devious need for the darkness, which gives us licence to dream with our eyes open and to fantasise about the mayhem and murder acted out for our enjoyment?

The Guardian - Books

"Then," McCain said, his eyes darting to and fro, his voice going lower, "they embed devious attack missions into their deepest protoplasm.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devious eyes", ensure the surrounding context clarifies the intent behind the deviousness. Specific actions or dialogue can reinforce the visual cue.

Common error

Avoid assuming "devious eyes" always indicate malice. The character might simply be mischievous or playful, depending on the narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devious eyes" functions as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "eyes" with the adjective "devious". This creates a vivid image of someone who is cunning or scheming. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devious eyes" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe a character's cunning or sly nature. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable expression. While relatively rare, its primary context is in news and media, where it serves to add depth and intrigue to descriptions. Alternative phrases, such as "sly gaze" or "cunning look", can offer similar nuances. When using "devious eyes", ensure the context supports the intended meaning, as it can easily be misinterpreted if not properly framed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sly gaze

Replaces "devious" with "sly" to indicate a sense of being cunning or mischievous.

cunning look

Replaces "devious eyes" with a more general "cunning look", suggesting a sly or scheming nature.

scheming eyes

Uses "scheming" instead of "devious" to directly imply the planning of something underhanded.

crafty eyes

Replaces "devious" with "crafty", highlighting skill in deception or manipulation.

calculating gaze

Changes "eyes" to "gaze" and "devious" to "calculating", emphasizing a cold, strategic intent.

shifty eyes

Uses "shifty" to describe eyes that avoid direct contact, suggesting dishonesty or guilt.

underhanded glint in the eyes

Describes a more specific visual cue, implying a hidden motive.

eyes that hinted at deceit

Rephrases the concept to focus on the suggestion of deception rather than direct description.

eyes full of guile

Employs "guile" to specify cunning and deceitfulness in the eyes.

eyes reflecting a hidden agenda

Shifts the focus to the reflection of a hidden agenda in the eyes, rather than directly attributing deviousness.

FAQs

What does "devious eyes" suggest about a character?

The phrase "devious eyes" typically suggests that a character is cunning, sly, or has a hidden agenda. It implies a level of dishonesty or strategic thinking.

How can I use "devious eyes" in a sentence?

You can use "devious eyes" to describe a character's expression. For example, "She looked at him with "devious eyes", hinting at her ulterior motives."

What are some alternatives to describing someone with "devious eyes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "sly gaze", "cunning look", or "scheming eyes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "devious eyes" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "devious eyes" may be more suited for creative writing or descriptive contexts rather than formal academic or business writing. Choose more neutral language in formal settings.