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3. in the public eye

in the public eye

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*in the public eye

Fig. publicly; visible to all; conspicuous. (*Typically: be ~; find oneself ~; get [into] ~.) Elected officials find themselves constantly in the public eye. The mayor made it a practice to get into the public eye as much as possible.

See also: eye, public

in the public eye

known and talked about by many people The former senator remained in the public eye even after retirement. We need to keep education in the public eye if we want support for improvements in our schools.

Usage notes: the opposite meaning is expressed by out of the public eye: Illness kept the actor out of the public eye for eighteen months.

See also: eye, public

in the public eye

Under the attention and scrutiny of the public, as in The rock star's activities were very much in the public eye. This usage, which is similar to in the limelight, dates from the late 1800s. It should not be confused with the similar-sounding in the eyes of the public, which means "in the opinion or views of the general public" (as in In the eyes of the public the mayor was guilty of perjury). Also see in the eye of, def. 2.

See also: eye, public

in the public eye

1. Frequently seen in public or in the media.

2. Widely publicized; well-known.

See also: eye, public