To see eye to eye with someone means to agree with them; to think alike; to have similar opinions or viewpoints.
Also: Eye to eye, seeing eye to eye, not see eye to eye
Note on Usage: While commonly paired with verbs like see or meet (e.g., “we see eye to eye”), the phrase eye to eye is also used standalone as an adverb or hyphenated as a compound modifier (eye-to-eye) meaning direct, face-to-face, or in mutual alignment. The idiom always uses the singular eye to eye, never the plural “eyes to eyes.”
When people see eye to eye, they get along with each other.
See also, thick as thieves.
Origin of See Eye to Eye
The idiom is thought to derive from the Bible, the book of Isaiah, 52:8:
“Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.”
The Bible passage, however, does not actually mean that they will agree and according to the Oxford English Dictionary it is a misapplication of the phrase.
Later versions of the Bible have replaced the phrase “see eye to eye” with supposedly correct translations:
*…see it with their own eyes – New International Version
*…see with their own eyes – English Standard Version
*…before their very eyes they see – New Living Translation
*…for every eye will see – Holman Christian Standard Bible
*…for eye to eye they see – English Standard Version
Sentence Examples
“Frank and I could never see eye to eye.”
“The two detectives made bad partners. They could not even see eye to eye on what to have for lunch.”
“If we can’t see eye to eye on even the smallest thing, there is no point in continuing this relationship.”
Commonly Used in the Negative: The phrase is very frequently used with negative constructions (not see eye to eye, don’t see eye to eye, or never see eye to eye) as a diplomatic, polite way to express ongoing disagreement or friction without sounding overtly confrontational.
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Similar and Related Idioms
- On the Same Page: In agreement, sharing the same understanding, or working toward a common goal without confusion.
- On the Same Wavelength: Thinking similarly or having an intuitive mutual understanding with another person.
- Speak the Same Language: To share identical priorities, values, attitudes, or ways of thinking.
- Of the Same Mind: Holding an identical opinion or perspective on a specific decision or issue.
- Sing from the Same Hymn Sheet (or Songsheet): Presenting a united front in public by repeating the same message or policy.