eye opener

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“When those guys initially slided, it was an eye-opener for the rest of the world, that a Caribbean nation could actually compete. They inspired us.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Milner describes his time in the lower leagues as a "bit of an eye-opener", with Swindon's players bringing their own pasta to eat on the team bus.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

“We've lived in Hull for 30 years, if not more. We've never seen something like this happening in the city. So, it was really an eye-opener – and scary.”

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2024

Michelle Avary, also of Menlo Park, works for a Swedish-owned trucking company and said it has been an eye-opener to see how Swedish people work.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2024

“You don’t know an eye-opener from a traditional?” she demands in outrage.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich