“Avert one’s eyes” is a common phrase that is used to describe the act of looking away from something that is unpleasant or uncomfortable. It is a common expression that is used in everyday conversation and has a variety of different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
Definitions
The phrase “avert one’s eyes” means to turn one’s gaze away from something that is unpleasant or uncomfortable. It can also mean to avoid looking at something that is considered taboo or inappropriate.
Origin
The phrase “avert one’s eyes” has its roots in the Latin language. The word “avert” comes from the Latin word “avertare,” which means to turn away. The phrase has been in use since the Middle Ages and has been used in literature and other forms of writing for centuries.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “avert one’s eyes” means to look away from something that is unpleasant or embarrassing. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the phrase as “to turn one’s eyes away from something, especially as a sign of disapproval or disgust.”
Associations
The phrase “avert one’s eyes” is often associated with situations that are uncomfortable or embarrassing. It is commonly used when someone is trying to avoid looking at something that is considered taboo or inappropriate.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for “avert one’s eyes” include look away, turn away, avoid eye contact, and glance away.
Antonyms
Antonyms for “avert one’s eyes” include stare, gaze, look directly, and fix one’s eyes on.
The same root words
The word “avert” has a few other related words, including “aversion,” which means a strong dislike or hatred of something, and “averse,” which means having a strong dislike or opposition to something.
Example Sentences
- When the movie got too violent, I had to avert my eyes from the screen.
- She averted her eyes when he walked into the room, not wanting to make eye contact.
- The teacher had to avert her eyes when she saw the student cheating on the test.
- He couldn’t avert his eyes from the car accident on the side of the road.
- The sight was so gruesome that I had to avert my eyes and look away.
In conclusion, “avert one’s eyes” is a common phrase that is used to describe the act of looking away from something that is unpleasant or uncomfortable. It has been in use for centuries and has its roots in the Latin language. The phrase is often associated with situations that are embarrassing or taboo and has a variety of different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.