cow eyes

English

Etymology

From the appearance of a cow's eyes.

Noun

cow eyes pl (plural only)

(US, informal) A wide-eyed expression meant to discreetly signal otherwise unstated romantic attraction to the one it is directed at.
- Weber, David and Ringo, John; March Upcountry, Baen Books, 2001, p. 272.
  "... And you were making cow eyes at him, snotty attitude and all."
  "I was not making cow eyes at him," Despreaux insisted firmly.
  "Call it what you want, girl," the older woman said with a grin. "I call it cow eyes."
- Dale, Ruth Jean, and Raye, Kimberly; One in a Million & Love, Texas Stlye, Harlequin, 2011, p. 173
  "Cow eyes?" Brett's gaze shot to Suzanne. "You were making cow eyes at me?" Not that he knew what cow eyes were, but from the fierceness of Mama Jessup's expression and the way Suzanne blushed, cow eyes definitely counted as the non-contact version of a butt squeeze.
- Cooney, Caroline B., An April Love Story, Open Road Media, 2013, p. 122
  "What makes you think I am worried about Lucas?"
  "All you ever do is make cow eyes at him ..."

Synonyms

sheep's eye, the equivalent in British English.

Derived terms

to make cow eyes, v.
cow-eyed, adj.

Translations

a secretive, pining look, or humble doting glance

Finnish: kaihoisa katse
Italian: occhi vitulini m pl

Russian: влюблённый взор m (vljubljónnyj vzor), гла́зки (ru) m or pl (glázki) (a flirting look, lit.: "little eyes")

Usage notes

Used almost exclusively to describe this expression when made by a woman, and much more often by other women than men. Often carries the sense that this is mildly shameful.

References

Speaking of Animals: A Dictionary of Animal Metaphors