не поверить своим глазам

• НЕ ВЕРИТЬ/НЕ ПОВЕРИТЬ (СВОИМ) ГЛАЗАМ coll

[VP; subj: human]

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⇒ to be extremely surprised at sth. one has seen:

- X глазам (своим) не верил{{}}≈ X couldn't believe his eyes;

- X could scarcely (hardly) believe his eyes;

- X wondered if he was seeing straight (seeing things);

- X did a double take.

     ♦ "Маралы! Маралы!" - вне себя от испуга и радости вскричал дед Момун. И замолк, будто не веря своим глазам (Айтматов 1). "Deer! Deer!" Grandfather Momun cried out, beside himself with fright and joy. And instantly fell silent, as though he did not believe his eyes (1a).

     ♦ ...Клемане глазам не верила, когда Жано принёс первую получку (Эренбург 4). ...Оётепсе could scarcely believe her eyes when Jeannot brought home his first pay-envelope (4a).

     ♦ И вдруг рядом я прочёл такое, что не поверил своим глазам... (Кузнецов 1). Then my eye fell on something next to the poster which made me wonder if I was seeing straight (1b).