have eyes in the back of one's head

English

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.

Pronunciation

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Verb

have eyes in the back of one's head (third-person singular simple present has eyes in the back of one's head, present participle having eyes in the back of one's head, simple past and past participle had eyes in the back of one's head)

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

   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.

Translations

to be uncannily observant

Finnish: olla silmät selässä French: avoir des yeux derrière la tête (fr), avoir des yeux dans le dos Polish: mieć oczy z tyłu głowy impf Spanish: tener ojos en la nuca Swedish: ha ögon i nacken