suspicious eye

USAGE SUMMARY

"suspicious eye" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is suspiciously watching or examining something. For example, "He gave the stranger a suspicious eye as they passed on the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Sebastopol geese move in a line, casting a suspicious eye on human interlopers.

The New York Times

For years conservatives have cast a suspicious eye on Senator McCain because non-conservatives find him appealing.

The New York Times

In the epicenter of anti-American hatred, even the most generous of gestures is viewed with a suspicious eye.

The New York Times

Whether that contributed to the blackout or not, Canadian officials continued to cast a suspicious eye south.

The New York Times

Since Watergate, reporters all over the country have been under pressure to cast a more suspicious eye on any institution they cover.

The New Yorker

On his campaign bus in Florida earlier Tuesday, Mr. McCain cast a suspicious eye on his benefactor, who has never been known to scurry out of the limelight.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

They cast coldly suspicious eyes at his intrusive lens.

The Guardian - Arts

"You drinking my lemonade?" asked Mr. McGlynn, suddenly suspicious, eyeing the two cups.

The New York Times

And when business starts to rise, suspicious eyes will see shadowy hands at work.

Independent

Since then, England's management have always looked at Zaha through suspicious eyes.

The Guardian - Sport

You want me to be scared, to see my fellow citizens through suspicious eyes, to sacrifice my freedom for security.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspicious eye" to describe a quick, often non-verbal expression of distrust or skepticism, especially when someone is observing something or someone else.

Common error

Avoid using "suspicious eye" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral and precise terms like "critical assessment" or "careful evaluation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious eye" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb such as 'cast,' 'give,' or 'look.' It describes the manner in which someone observes something or someone, indicating distrust or skepticism. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspicious eye" is a noun phrase commonly used to describe a distrustful or skeptical observation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its prevalence in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve this expression for neutral to slightly informal situations, opting for more precise language in formal or academic writing. When seeking alternatives, consider "dubious eye", "distrustful gaze", or "skeptical view" to achieve similar effects with varied nuances. Use "suspicious eye" when you want to quickly convey distrust in a narrative or descriptive context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious eye

Replaces "suspicious" with "dubious", suggesting a sense of doubt.

distrustful gaze

Substitutes "eye" with "gaze" and "suspicious" with "distrustful", emphasizing the act of looking with distrust.

skeptical view

Replaces "eye" with "view" and "suspicious" with "skeptical", focusing on a mental assessment of doubt.

questioning look

Uses "questioning" instead of "suspicious" and "look" in place of "eye", highlighting the act of seeking answers with doubt.

cynical outlook

Employs "cynical outlook" to suggest a negative expectation or disbelief.

wary glance

Replaces "suspicious" with "wary" and "eye" with "glance", indicating caution and a quick look.

guarded observation

Uses "guarded" and "observation" instead of "suspicious" and "eye", suggesting careful and protected attention.

careful scrutiny

Changes the phrase to focus on "careful scrutiny", implying a detailed and critical examination.

scrutinizing gaze

Combines the idea of scrutiny with a gaze, emphasizing a thorough and careful look.

jaundiced eye

Uses the idiom "jaundiced eye" suggesting a prejudiced or bitter viewpoint.

FAQs

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

You can use "suspicious eye" to describe how someone looks at something they don't trust. For example, "The customs officer cast a "suspicious eye" on the traveler's luggage."

What can I say instead of "suspicious eye"?

You can use alternatives like "dubious eye", "skeptical view", or "distrustful gaze" depending on the context.

Is "suspicious eye" a formal expression?

While widely understood, "suspicious eye" leans towards informal usage. More formal contexts might benefit from phrases like "critical assessment" or "careful evaluation".

What's the difference between "suspicious eye" and "jaundiced eye"?

"Suspicious eye" implies a general distrust or skepticism, while "jaundiced eye" suggests a prejudiced or cynical perspective shaped by past experiences.