locked eyes
Held each other's stare
Locked eyes describes two people whose gazes meet and hold, neither looking away.
The phrase suggests intensity—recognition, attraction, challenge, or connection: They locked eyes across the crowded room.
The past tense form is most common, often marking a charged moment in narrative.
- gazeFixed, intent look
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
- focusConcentrated attention point
- intensityStrength or force level
- staring contestUnblinking visual standoff
attention · trust · vulnerability · rapport · submission · chemistry · mutuality · sincerity · unspoken words · mirroring · challenge · taboo · confrontation · power play · recognition · love at first sight · nonverbal cues · longing
locked eyesfleeting glance
Quick, passing look
quick glance · passing glance · sidelong glance · stolen glance · cursory look
locked eyeslooked away
averted gaze · turned away · wandering eyes · downcast eyes · shifty eyes
locked eyesignored
Purposely not noticed
looked through · cold shoulder · turned away · oblivious · disengaged
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