lay (one's) eyes on (something)

lay (one's) eyes on (something)

To see or look at something, especially for the first time. I'll never forget the first time I laid eyes on my son. That sunset may be the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on. You can't just buy everything you lay your eyes on.See also: eye, lay, on

lay eyes on

Also, clap or set eyes on . Look at, see, as in As soon as I laid eyes on him I knew he would be perfect for the lead in our play, or I'd never set eyes on such a beautiful gown. The first term dates from the early 1200s and the third from the late 1300s; the second, using clap in the sense of "a sudden movement," dates from the first half of the 1800s. See also: eye, lay, on

clap/lay/set ˈeyes on somebody/something

(informal) see somebody/something: I’ve no idea who she is. I’ve never clapped eyes on her before. ♢ The moment I set eyes on the house, I knew I would live there.See also: clap, eye, lay, on, set, somebody, something