steely-eyed focus

7.0

Strong, steady attention that shows determination

noun

: enfoque decidido

The athlete maintained his steely-eyed focus throughout the competition, never letting distractions get to him.

Examples

With steely-eyed focus, she worked through the noise and completed her project on time.
She approached the challenge with a steely-eyed focus.
His steely-eyed focus inspired the whole team to raise their level of performance.
His steely-eyed focus impressed everyone during the presentation.
The scientist's steely-eyed focus on her research led her to make a groundbreaking discovery.
During the final minutes of the game, the coach paced with a steely-eyed focus, urging his players to keep their concentration.
With steely-eyed focus, the student prepared for her exams, shutting out all distractions around her.

Synonyms

focus

vssteely-eyed focus

794 3.5

Close attention to one subject or activity

is a far more intense, unwavering attention showing clear resolve

cycloptic gaze

vssteely-eyed focus

9.9

A very strong look that focuses all attention on one point

is inward determination and resolve rather than only an outward stare

How Focused

steely-eyed focus

7.0

concentration

122 3.3

focus

794 3.5

attention

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

steely-eyed focus singular

steely-eyed focuses plural

Morphology

steely-eyed + focus

The meaning is directly compositional: 'steely-eyed' (having a hard, unyielding expression) modifies 'focus' (concentration) to yield an intense, unwavering attention. This adjective+noun pattern and the metaphor of 'steely' as firmness are predictable and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Steely-eyed focus comes from the image of someone with steely-eyed eyes — eyes like hard steel that do not move and stay fixed on one point. That's why the word focus with that picture means 'strong, steady attention' or 'determination'.