PhrasesHub

Mind's eye

    Definitions

      • mental visualization
        Referring to the ability to visualize or imagine things in one's mind

      • memory
        Recalling or remembering something in one's mind

    Examples of Mind's eye

    • She closed her eyes and conjured up vivid images of the beach in her mind's eye.

      This example uses the idiom "mind's eye" in its literal meaning, where a person uses their imagination to visualize a specific image or scene. The phrase "closed her eyes" emphasizes the fact that the person is not actually seeing the image, but rather relying on her mental powers to conjure up the image. This idiom is often used to describe a heightened state of visualization or daydreaming.

    • As he sat in the boardroom, he could see the future in his mind's eye. The merger was a success, and he was at the helm.

      Here, the phrase "mind's eye" is used metaphorically to describe a person's ability to anticipate future events or outcomes. This idiom is often used in business and professional contexts to illustrate a person's intuition and foresight. By saying that the person "could see the future in his mind's eye," the speaker is implying that the person has a strong sense of anticipation and a clear vision for the future.

    • The author's words transported me to a world I could see, smell, and touch, all in my mind's eye.

      This example uses the idiom "mind's eye" to describe the power of written words to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. By saying that the words "transported" the person to a different world, the speaker is illustrating the fact that reading can be a transformative experience, one that allows the reader to escape from reality and enter a completely different world. The phrase "in my mind's eye" emphasizes the fact that this experience is taking place entirely within the reader's imagination, and highlights the power of the author's words to create a fully realized and three-dimensional world.

    • He couldn't shake the image from his mind's eye, no matter how hard he tried to forget.

      Here, the phrase "mind's eye" is used to describe a persistent and difficult-to-forget memory or image. By saying that the person "couldn't shake the image," the speaker is implying that the memory is haunting the person and refusing to be ignored. This idiom is often used in contexts where a person is struggling to move on from a difficult or traumatic experience, as it emphasizes the extent to which memories can become lodged in the mind and refuse to be forgotten. By using the phrase "from his mind's eye," the speaker is implying that the memory is completely mental, and is not dependent on any physical reminder or trigger.

    • Sarah closed her physical eyes and let her mind's eye wander through the tranquil countryside she once knew as a child.

      In this example, the speaker refers to Sarah's inner vision or imagination, which is still vivid despite the fact that her physical eyes are closed. This idiom suggests that Sarah can still perceive and visualize her familiar surroundings using her mental faculties alone.

    • The director asked the actors to imagine the scene as if they were already living it, urging them to rely on their mind's eye instead of relying solely on the physical setting.

      In this example, the speaker is referring to the ability to see a situation or event in one's mind as if it were real. Here, the director is asking the actors to use their imaginations and evoke the scene through their inner vision, rather than relying completely on the physical environment.

    • With a simple stroke of his pen, the politician changed the course of history, painting a vivid picture in the minds of his constituents through his mind's eye.

      In this example, the speaker refers to the politician's ability to create a mental image or idea that is so powerful that it has a real and tangible impact on those around him. This idiom emphasizes the ability to create a compelling vision in the minds of others using one's imagination and inner faculties.

    • Even after her loss of sight, Emily retained a sharp and vivid mind's eye, continuing to dream and imagine a world that she could no longer see.

      In this example, the speaker is emphasizing the power of the human mind to continue to create and imagine, despite physical limitations or impairments. Here, Emily's loss of sight hasn't diminished her ability to visualize and imagine, demonstrating the strength of the human mind's eye.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "mind's eye" is used to describe the mental faculty of visualization and memory. When someone talks about seeing something in their mind's eye, they are referring to their ability to mentally visualize or imagine things. It can also be used to describe the act of recalling or remembering something in one's mind. Overall, the idiom is used to signify the inner workings of the mind in terms of visualization and memory.

    Origin of "Mind's eye"

    The phrase "mind's eye" dates back to Shakespeare's Hamlet, where it is used to refer to the imagination or the ability to visualize. The concept of the "mind's eye" has been a part of literature and philosophy for centuries, with various cultures and thinkers exploring the idea of mental visualization and memory. The idiom has become a common way to express the act of mentally picturing something or recalling it in one's memory. Its origins lie in the exploration of the inner workings of the human mind and its capacity for imagination and memory.