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With an eye for something vs With an eye to something

admin Confusing Phrases

with an eye for something—

1. quick to notice or appreciate smth.:

  • Everyone with an eye for color and form knows those mellow, lichened roofs of Colly Westons.

2. watching out for smth.; ready to notice smth.:

  • He drowsed over the Irish sea, but always with an eye for the landfall of the Scottish coast.

3. having smth. as one’s aim or purpose:

  • The chamber had been designed by someone with an eye for effect rather than practicality.

with an eye to something— = with an eye for something 3:

  • It was a somewhat lurid article, written with an eye to picturesque effect.