to give the glad eye to
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To cast inviting glances at. To have, or keep, an eye on. To keep strict watch on the person or thing referred to.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “to give the glad eye to” mean?
To cast inviting glances at. To have, or keep, an eye on. To keep strict watch on the person or thing referred to.
Is “to give the glad eye to” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.