Learning French: when and why do we say avoir un œil de lynx
This phrase finds its origins in the legend of Jason and the Argonauts
It is similar to the English expression, to be eagle-eyed
Volodymyr Burdiak / Shutterstock
If you consider yourself a master at spot-the-difference puzzles, the French may comment on your impressive lynx eye.
Avoir un œil de lynx can be used in a range of formal or informal contexts to describe someone who has razor-sharp vision.
We take a look at how to use it in everyday French conversation and dive into theories surrounding its ancient Greek origins.
What does avoir un œil de lynx mean?
This peculiar phrase literally translates as, to have a lynx eye.
It refers to someone who is observant and pays attention to small details. Similar English descriptions include:
To have a keen eye
To have a sharp eye
To be eagle-eyed
It can also describe looking at someone in a menacing way:
To have piercing eyes
To have beady eyes
To narrow your eyes
Read also: Learning French: when and why do we say la douche écossaise?
What are the origins of avoir un œil de lynx?
Many English speakers, and even native French speakers, assume this phrase refers to the exceptional eyesight of wildcats. These skilled hunters can spot mice from 250 feet away.
Avoir un œil de lynx in fact stems from the character of Lynceus in the ancient Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, a story which has been told for over three thousand years.
Lynceus gained the ability to see to the bottom of the ocean, and could even gaze through clouds and rocks.
This connection passed from the ancient Greeks, into Latin and then to French, leading to today’s well-known expression.
Read more: 10 of the most difficult English words for French people to pronounce
When do you say avoir un œil de lynx?
You can say this to describe someone who has great eyesight or who can spot small details:
Comment as-tu trouvé ma boucle d'oreille par terre ? Tu dois avoir un œil de lynx. - How did you find my earring on the ground? You must have a keen eye.
Il a un œil de lynx, il a pu trouver Charlie sur toutes les pages. - He has eagle eyes, he was able to find Wally on every page.
Fun fact: the popular children’s book, Where’s Wally (also known as Waldo in the US), is called Où est Charlie ? (Where is Charlie?), in France.
You could also use this phrase to refer to being perceptive of your environment or seeing through facades:
Il est important d'avoir un œil de lynx dans la nature, il faut être conscient de ce qui nous entoure. - It is important to keep your eyes peeled when in nature, you must be aware of your surroundings.
Avec son œil de lynx, il voyait clairement les affaires illégales menées par sa propre équipe. - With eyes on the back of his head, he could clearly see the illegal business being conducted by his own team.
Finally, it can refer to a piercing regard:
Read also: Understanding 'voir' in French: idiomatic expressions and practical uses
To whom do you say avoir un œil de lynx?
It is considered neutral language and can be used with friends or strangers in a range of formal or informal contexts.
To avoid accidentally causing offence, be careful not to confuse the subtle difference between use of this phrase to mean eagle eyes (complimenting sharp sight), versus beady eyes (commenting on a piercing regard).
Similar eye-related French expressions include:
You might also come across, avoir l’œil american (to have an American eye) in books from the early 20th Century or in Le Corbeau by director Henri-Georges Clouzot, released in 1943. However, it has since fallen out of fashion.
