French Expression of the Day: Jeter un oeil

This French expression doesn't actually mean you're throwing your eye out.

This common French expression is used whenever you want someone to take a quick look at something.

The expression jeter un oeil , roughly pronounced zhuh-tay uhn nuh-y (listen here ), translates literally to "to throw an eye" but in reality it means "to take a look" or "to glance at something". It refers to looking at something briefly rather than examining it carefully.

Like many French expressions, jeter un œil is based on exaggeration. Rather than physically turning your whole body or studying something in detail, you "throw" your eye in its direction for a brief glance.

French has several similar expressions using the eyes: you can also say jeter un coup d'œil - to take a quick look (another version of the same expression), garder un œil sur quelqu'un (like the English to keep an eye on someone), and avoir l'œil (to have a good eye or to be observant).

Today, jeter un œil and jeter un coup d'œil are often used interchangeably.

Tu peux jeter un œil à mon rapport ? - Can you take a look at my report?

Je vais jeter un coup d'œil au menu. - I'll have a quick look at the menu.

Il a jeté un œil par la fenêtre. - He glanced out of the window.