What type of literary device is "dead in the eye"
It's slang, not really a literary device. "He hit the target dead center." "She was dead-on right!" "I looked you squarely in the eye" is a variation on the slang term "dead in the eye". I looked you square in the eye" is another variation. It means directly accurate.
The phrase "dead in the eye" is an example of a literary device called an idiom. An idiom is a commonly used expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal interpretation. In this particular idiom, "dead in the eye" is used to describe someone who looks directly into someone's eyes without showing any emotion or expression.
To identify the literary device in a phrase or expression like "dead in the eye," you can follow these steps:
1. Understand the literal meaning: In this case, it would mean someone is physically dead in their eyeball, which does not make logical sense.
2. Analyze the figurative meaning: This idiom is not meant to be interpreted literally. It expresses a lack of emotion or expression in someone's gaze.
3. Consider its common usage: Idioms are cultural expressions used by native speakers to convey specific meanings efficiently.
4. Connect the phrase to the literary device: "Dead in the eye" fits the definition of an idiom because it is used metaphorically to convey a figurative meaning.
In conclusion, "dead in the eye" is an idiom used to describe someone who looks directly into someone's eyes without displaying any emotion or expression.