sheep's eyes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very RareArchaic/Literary/Humorous
Quick answer
What does “sheep's eyes” mean?
A look of amorous longing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A look of amorous longing; a loving, amorous, or yearning glance, often one that is shy or demure.
It can also refer to a look of false or exaggerated innocence, or a pleading, submissive look.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in definition. The term is equally archaic and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be recognised in British English due to its historical presence in British literature (e.g., Shakespeare). In both, it now carries a distinctly old-fashioned or quaint tone.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary speech or writing in both dialects. Slightly higher chance of encounter in British historical novels or period dramas.
Grammar
How to Use “sheep's eyes” in a Sentence
[Subject] + make/throw/cast + sheep's eyes + at + [Object][Subject] + look at + [Object] + with + sheep's eyesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sheep's eyes” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He spent the whole evening sheep's-eyeing the new barmaid.
American English
- Stop sheep's-eyeing my sister, it's embarrassing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in literary analysis of historical texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used. If used, it would be as a deliberate, humorous archaism.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sheep's eyes”
- Using the singular 'sheep's eye'. *'He gave her a sheep's eye.' (Incorrect).
- Using it to describe an actual sheep's body part. *'The farmer checked the sheep's eyes for infection.' (Incorrect for the idiom).
- Assuming it is a common modern expression.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a fixed plural noun phrase. You make/cast 'sheep's eyes', not 'a sheep's eye'.
No, it is considered archaic. You might find it in historical novels, poetry, or used humorously to sound old-fashioned.
Not inherently. It traditionally meant a genuinely loving, shy look. However, modern usage can imply the look is a bit silly, overly obvious, or feigned.
Both imply a pleading, loving look. 'Puppy dog eyes' is modern, common, and emphasizes cuteness and a plea for something. 'Sheep's eyes' is archaic and emphasizes shy, amorous longing, not necessarily a request.
A look of amorous longing.
Sheep's eyes is usually archaic/literary/humorous in register.
Sheep's eyes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːps ˌaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːps ˌaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make sheep's eyes at someone”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a shy cartoon sheep in love, batting its eyelashes with a dreamy, longing look at another sheep. That 'look' is 'sheep's eyes'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOVE/LONGING IS A SPECIFIC ANIMAL GAZE (Sheep = gentle, innocent, shy).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'sheep's eyes' in modern usage?