an eye for detail
8
4.1
- idiom
:
ojo para los detalles
- Skilled painters and sculptors possess an eye for detail.
Examples
-
You have a fantastic eye for details.
Blog text (18) -
You'll know quickly which applicants pay attention, follow directions, and have an eye for detail.
Blog text (8) -
Clearly you have an eye for detail.
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Yes, we do; women usually have a good eye for detail and color.
Blog text (20) -
Years behind a desk dealing with people had given him a sharp eye for detail.
Fiction book (1999) -
Susan, with her meticulous eye for detail, matched up all of Jennifer's wayward quilt pieces, and together they figured out a way to simplify the complex pattern.
Fiction book (1992) -
A group can point out strengths you didn't know you had—an ear for dialogue, an eye for detail—talents that can be honed and refined.
Academic text (2009) -
As a designer, having an eye for detail is essential to creating beautiful and functional spaces.
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Her meticulous work showcased her eye for detail, capturing every nuance of the painting.
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The editor's eye for detail ensured that there were no errors in the final manuscript.
Synonyms
7
4.1
An ability to notice small details that others miss
6
8.1
Ability to see small details clearly
3
3.9
The ability to notice small details and mistakes very well
1
4.3
Noticing small details and understanding what they mean
1
7.5
A quality of being very careful about small details
1
6.6
Being quick to notice small details and other people's feelings
Being very careful about small details
Careful attention to very small details
The ability to notice and understand things quickly
A quick ability to notice and understand things
An ability to notice and remember what you see very clearly
Antonyms
How Observant
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase uses 'eye' in a metaphorical sense (a knack for noticing) combined with 'for detail' which clearly marks the target, so the components point toward the intended meaning. However, understanding requires recognizing the figurative use and the collocational pattern 'an eye for...', which is somewhat idiomatic; a B1 learner who knows the words could often infer the meaning but not with full predictability.
Etymology
An eye for detail paints a simple image: a very sharp eye that spots small detail others miss. So, saying someone has an eye for detail means they 'notice small things' and pay close attention.