see eye to eye
To have the same opinion as someone else or to agree with them completely. It often implies that two people share the same perspective or level of understanding on a specific issue.
Examples
3 of 5My sister and I don't always see eye to eye on fashion choices.
My sister and I do not always agree on what clothes to wear.
The committee members eventually saw eye to eye on the proposed policy changes.
The committee members finally reached a full agreement regarding the new rules.
I'm just glad we see eye to eye on where to go for dinner tonight.
I am happy that we both want to go to the same restaurant.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Imagine two people of the exact same height standing face-to-face; because they are at the same level, they literally see the world from the same perspective.
Quick Quiz
Despite their many arguments, the two business partners finally managed to see eye to ___ on the new budget.
Correct!
The correct answer is: eye
Examples
My sister and I don't always see eye to eye on fashion choices.
everydayMy sister and I do not always agree on what clothes to wear.
The committee members eventually saw eye to eye on the proposed policy changes.
formalThe committee members finally reached a full agreement regarding the new rules.
I'm just glad we see eye to eye on where to go for dinner tonight.
informalI am happy that we both want to go to the same restaurant.
In the academic community, scholars rarely see eye to eye on the exact cause of the economic shift.
academicIn the world of research, experts often disagree about why the economy changed.
The CEO and the board of directors did not see eye to eye regarding the potential merger.
businessThe company leader and the directors disagreed about joining the two companies.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
agree to disagree
to accept that you have different opinions and stop arguing
on the same wavelength
thinking in a similar way to someone else
in sync
working or thinking together in perfect agreement
Often Confused With
To 'catch someone's eye' means to attract their attention, while 'see eye to eye' means to agree.
To 'look someone in the eye' means to look directly at them to show honesty or courage.
Usage Notes
This idiom is most frequently used in the negative (e.g., 'we don't see eye to eye') to describe a lack of agreement. It is usually followed by the preposition 'with' for people and 'on' for subjects.
Common Mistakes
Learners often pluralize the noun and say 'see eyes to eyes' or 'see eye to eyes.' The correct fixed expression is always singular: 'eye to eye.'
Memory Tip
Imagine two people of the exact same height standing face-to-face; because they are at the same level, they literally see the world from the same perspective.
Word Origin
The phrase comes from the Bible (Isaiah 52:8), describing watchmen who see the return of the Lord with their own eyes, though the modern meaning of 'agreement' evolved later.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western business and social contexts, 'seeing eye to eye' is highly valued as it suggests harmony and efficient teamwork.
Quick Quiz
Despite their many arguments, the two business partners finally managed to see eye to ___ on the new budget.
Correct!
The correct answer is: eye
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
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