Phrase guide

have eyes in the back of one's head

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To be particularly, especially uncannily, observant, as if able to see in all directions at once.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • It's so busy at our office you need eyes in the back of your head to work here!
  • Don't think you can misbehave while I'm cooking dinner. I have eyes in the back of my head.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin in occipitio quoque habet oculos ("she has eyes even on the back of her head"), from Plautus, Aulularia (The Pot of Gold), act 1, scene 1.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: olla silmät selässä — to be uncannily observant
  • French: avoir des yeux derrière la tête — to be uncannily observant
  • French: avoir des yeux dans le dos — to be uncannily observant
  • Polish: mieć oczy z tyłu głowy — to be uncannily observant
  • Spanish: tener ojos en la nuca — to be uncannily observant
  • Swedish: ha ögon i nacken — to be uncannily observant