火眼金睛

huǒyǎn-jīnjīng

idiom #36,785

Meanings

1 fiery eyes and golden pupils — piercing, discerning eyes
2 the ability to see through deception
3 sharp, penetrating insight

Characters

pupil of the eye

Examples

奶奶有一双火眼金睛，孙子的小心思都瞒不过她。

Nǎinai yǒu yī shuāng huǒyǎnjīnjīng, sūnzi de xiǎoxīn si dōu mán bùguò tā.

Grandma has eyes that miss nothing — the grandson's little schemes never get past her.

警察的火眼金睛很快识破了骗子的伎俩。

Jǐngchá de huǒyǎnjīnjīng hěnkuài shípò le piànzi de jìliǎng.

The officer's piercing eye quickly saw through the con artist's tricks.

Tips

culture

The phrase belongs to Sun Wukong (孙悟空), the Monkey King. In 《西游记》 he was roasted in Laozi's furnace for 49 days, giving him the 火眼金睛 that sees demons in any disguise. Using it implies that level of uncanny, demon-busting perception.

Stroke Order

火 huǒ

眼 yǎn

金 jīn

睛 jīng