out of the corner of one's eye
The idiom describes noticing something without directly looking at it, often using peripheral vision.
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Definition
B2General
(common)To see something briefly without focusing directly on it.
Example
- She saw a shadow move out of the corner of her eye.
- He noticed the cat sneaking by out of the corner of his eye.
B2General
(common)To notice something using peripheral vision.
Example
- Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the car speeding past.
- She could see the children playing out of the corner of her eye.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "out of the corner of one's eye":
half an eyelook over one's shoulderback of one's mindout of sightin someone's eyesunder someone's nosewatch one's backhave eyes onkeep an eye openhave one's eye onbad eye