[? a jocular use of the Naut. sense, WEATHER sb. 8; or perh. = the eye which is specially used for observing the weather. Cf. ON. veðr-eygr, ? keen-eyed.] Used in fig. phrases, such as to keep one’s weather-eye open, to be watchful and alert, keep one’s wits about one.
1839. Hood, Storm at Hastings, 189. Howbeit his weather eye the seaman aim’d Across the calm, and hinted by his speech A gale next morning.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., II. v. You look out. Keep your weather eye awake.
1887. Rider Haggard, She, vii. 88. Job returned in a great state of nervousness, and keeping his weather eye fixed upon every woman who came near him.
