"Beady eyes" typically refers to small, glittering eyes that often convey a sense of malice, avarice, suspicion, or lechery. It's a descriptive term used to characterize someone's gaze as sharp, calculating, and often untrustworthy.
Here's a breakdown of the nuances:
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Size and Appearance: The term implies that the eyes are small and bright, resembling beads.
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Connotation: The key element of "beady eyes" is the negative implication. The gaze associated with it is often interpreted as:
- Malicious: Indicating ill will or a desire to cause harm.
- Avaricious: Suggesting greed or an excessive desire for wealth.
- Suspicious: Conveying distrust or a guarded nature.
- Lecherous: Implying lustful or inappropriate intentions.
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Figurative Use: "Beady-eyed" is primarily used as a figurative or descriptive term to suggest a character's negative traits rather than a literal description of eye size.
Examples:
- "The con artist gave the mark a beady-eyed look, assessing their vulnerability." (Suspicious and potentially malicious)
- "The miser clutched his coins with a beady-eyed grin." (Avaricious)
In essence, "beady eyes" is a pejorative term that goes beyond physical description to characterize someone's personality or intentions based on the perceived nature of their gaze.
