Wordxplr

The meaning and origin of interesting English phrases

Sharp-sighted

Meaning

Having unusually keen vision or a highly developed ability to notice details.

Origin

Picture ancient hunters, their very survival dependent on spotting game before it vanished into the wilderness. Or consider the awe inspired by a hawk circling high above, suddenly diving on unseen prey. That unparalleled ability to see with piercing clarity—literally, with 'sharp' vision—is the essence of 'sharp-sighted.' The phrase isn't a quirky idiom, but a direct, powerful descriptor, born from countless generations observing the world's most acute natural vision, whether in the animal kingdom or among exceptionally observant people. It's a testament to the primal human appreciation for precision and detail in what the eyes can behold.

Examples

  • The hawk, sharp-sighted from its high perch, easily spotted its prey moving through the tall grass.
  • As a detective, her sharp-sighted observation skills allowed her to notice the smallest inconsistencies in the witness's story.
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