PhrasesHub

Watch the birdie

    Definitions

      • to ask someone to look at the camera.
        to instruct someone to direct their gaze towards the camera in order to take a photograph.

    Examples of Watch the birdie

    • The tennis coach shouted to her student, "Watch the birdie!" just before he served the ball.

      In the sport of tennis, "watching the birdie" is a term used during a game of volleyball or badminton, where the shuttlecock is sometimes called a "birdie". In this context, "watching the birdie" means focusing all of your attention on the flight path of the shuttlecock, so that you can make an accurate return. In this example, the tennis coach is using the idiom to encourage her student to concentrate on the ball as he serves, so that he can serve it accurately.

    • As the golfer took aim at the flagstick, his caddie shouted, "Watch the birdie!"

      In golf, a "birdie" is a score of one under par. To "watch the birdie" in golf is to keep your eye on the ball until it lands in the hole, so that you can make a birdie. In this example, the caddie is using the idiom to urge his golfer to keep his focus on the ball as he approaches the hole, hoping to make a birdie.

    • The comedian joked, "My wife told me I should watch the birdie before making a move. I think she means I should avoid adultery!"

      In this example, the comedian is using the idiom in a humorous way to illustrate that his wife's statement had a double meaning. "Watching the birdie" can also be interpreted as a euphemism for being faithful in a marriage, because the flight path of a birdie can be seen as representing the path of true love and fidelity. The comedian's joke is based on the fact that this second meaning was not immediately obvious to him.

    • The businessman closed his eyes and whispered, "Watch the birdie."

      In this example, the businessman is using the idiom in a metaphorical way to represent his need for focus and concentration in a high-pressure situation. The image of watching the birdie can be seen as representing the importance of staying focused and alert, in order to make important decisions and achieve success in business. By closing his eyes and saying the idiom, the businessman is showing that he is fully committed to his work and ready to make a decision.

    • The tennis coach shouted "Watch the birdie!" as he hit the ball toward his student during a serving drill.

      In the game of tennis, the "birdie" refers to a serve in which the ball lands in the service box and is not touched by the receiver. As the student focuses intently on the ball, the coach calls out this idiom to remind them to keep their eyes on the incoming ball, similar to how a golfer watches a birdie putt.

    • As the pitcher delivered the baseball to the home plate, the catcher yelled "Watch the birdie!" to alert the batter to the location of the pitch.

      In baseball, the "birdie" is another term for a struck ball that lands in the fairway and is close to the hole, indicating a possible score of one. In this context, the catcher uses the phrase to signal the batter to be on the lookout for a high or inside pitch, similar to how a golfer watches the flight of a birdie putt.

    • The figure skater's coach shouted "Watch the birdie!" as she spun around the ice rink, trying to land a difficult maneuver.

      In figure skating, the "birdie" refers to a successful jump, similar to the birdie in golf. The coach uses this idiom to urge the skater to focus on executing a flawless jump, similar to how a golfer watches the flight of a birdie putt.

    • The football quarterback called out "Watch the birdie!" as he threw the ball downfield, hoping to connect with his teammate in mid-air.

      In football, the "birdie" is used to describe a long pass or bomb that is thrown deep into the opponent's territory. The quarterback uses this idiom to remind his teammate to keep their eyes on the ball and make a diving catch, similar to how a golfer watches the flight of a birdie putt.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "watch the birdie" is used to tell someone to look at the camera when taking a photograph. It is a light-hearted way to direct someone to focus on the camera so that a picture can be taken.

    Origin of "Watch the birdie"

    The origin of the idiom "watch the birdie" can be traced back to the early days of photography when photographers would use a small toy or a fake bird to capture the attention of the person being photographed. By using the phrase "watch the birdie," the photographer would prompt the individual to look towards the bird or toy, thereby capturing a natural and engaging expression in the photograph. Over time, the phrase has become a common and lighthearted way to instruct someone to look at the camera when taking a picture.