English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Meaning
The idiom "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" means that people have different opinions about what is beautiful or attractive. What one person finds beautiful, another may not. The phrase suggests that beauty is subjective and depends on individual taste.
Usage
- Sarah was ecstatic when she received a compliment on her haircut. "I knew someone would appreciate my new look!" she said. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder applies here because one person's opinion of Sarah's haircut may be different from another person's.
- Emma was surprised when her friend didn't like the color of her eyes. "You always say they're beautiful," she said. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder applies here because different people have different opinions about what they find attractive.
- The chef spent all night perfecting his new dish, but when he presented it to the judges, they didn't like it. "I don't understand," he said. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder applies here because taste and preferences for food are subjective.
- Some people prefer the outdoors, while others prefer indoor activities. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder applies here because what one person finds enjoyable, another may not.
- The artist spent years honing his craft, but when he exhibited his work at the gallery, it didn't sell well. "I don't understand," he said. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder applies here because what one person finds valuable or desirable, another may not.
Roots and History
The idiom "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" has been used since at least the 16th century. The earliest known use of the phrase is found in a book by John Heywood called "A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Proverbes in the Englishe Tongue." Published in 1546, Heywood wrote: "Handsom is as ugly to some, as ugly is beautie to them that have no eye for it." This suggests that beauty is subjective and depends on individual taste. The phrase has since become a common expression used to explain why different people have different opinions about what is beautiful or attractive.
Synonyms in English
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - The view is different for everyone.
- Beauty is subjective. - Beauty is determined by individual taste and preference.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - What one person finds beautiful, another may not.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - The value of something is determined by individual opinion.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - People have different standards of beauty and attractiveness.
Synonyms in other languages
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - La beauté est dans les yeux du spectateur. (French)
- Beauty is subjective. - La beauté est sujette à l'opinion des gens. (French)
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - L'esthétique est dans les yeux du spectateur. (French)
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - La beauté est déterminée par l'opinion de chacun. (French)
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. - La beauté est déterminée par l'opinion générale. (French)