I couldn't believe my eyes vs I couldn't believe my ears

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'I couldn't believe my eyes' is used when someone sees something surprising or unbelievable, while 'I couldn't believe my ears' is used when someone hears something surprising or unbelievable.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 4234 views

I couldn't believe my eyes

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express disbelief upon seeing something surprising or unbelievable.

This phrase is used to convey that something seen is so surprising or unbelievable that the person finds it hard to believe what they are seeing.

Examples:

When I saw the beautiful sunset, I couldn't believe my eyes.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my favorite celebrity at the grocery store.
The magician's trick was so amazing that I couldn't believe my eyes.
The view from the top of the mountain was so breathtaking, I couldn't believe my eyes.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the size of the fish my friend caught.

Show examples from the web [+]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw that.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
The tape was delivered anonymously to me, and I have to say, the first time I saw it, David, I couldn't believe my eyes.
It's incredible, because I couldn't believe my eyes when I once just happened to bump into him.
I couldn't believe my eyes, the first guy was carrying his intestines around in his hand.
When I saw "Riley Neal" in the prep-report, I couldn't believe my eyes.
I couldn't believe my eyes, when I saw your porcelain on the market.
I was skeptical, but when I... saw his code I couldn't believe my eyes, so I decided to help him.
It came up and went under so mysteriously and silently... that I couldn't believe my eyes.
I couldn't believe my eyes, so I decided to help him.
When you showed me the photograph of Gordon Way in the newspaper, I couldn't believe my eyes.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Matsuko Kawajiri-san!
I knew I couldn't believe my eyes, so there were seven possible reasons, the most possible being narcotics.
I just couldn't believe my eyes.
I can't believe my eyes.
I can't believe my eyes.
I still don't believe my eyes.
I see this demonstration, but I can't believe my eyes.
Danny! I can't believe my eyes.
Gisani couldn't believe his eyes.

Alternatives:

I couldn't believe what I was seeing
I was in disbelief at what I saw
I couldn't trust my own eyes
I was astonished by what I saw
I was amazed by what I saw

I couldn't believe my ears

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express disbelief upon hearing something surprising or unbelievable.

This phrase is used to convey that something heard is so surprising or unbelievable that the person finds it hard to believe what they are hearing.

Examples:

When she told me she won the lottery, I couldn't believe my ears.
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the news about the accident.
The announcement was so shocking that I couldn't believe my ears.
I couldn't believe my ears when I heard my favorite band was coming to town.
The story he told was so unbelievable, I couldn't believe my ears.

Show examples from the web [+]

You know, when Alex told me that you had gone legit, I just couldn't believe my ears.
Of course I remember, it's just that I couldn't quite believe my ears, Mrs...
I can't believe my ears.
I could not believe my ears.
I can scarcely believe my ears.
l can't believe my ears or my eyes.
I can hardly believe my ears.
I'm puzzled, too. I can scarcely believe my ears.
Then it happens all at once. I cannot believe my ears about what I am hearing.
I could not believe my ears when influential socialist and liberal fellow Members demanded that the EU launch so-called serious infringement proceedings - the most severe of available sanctions - against Hungary, the holder of the current EU Presidency.
I couldn't believe my own readings.
If I had not been able to believe my ears today, I would not be able to believe my eyes if that happened tomorrow.
'I couldn't believe my therapist was here.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw that.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
I couldn't believe my eyes, so I decided to help him.
Well, I mean, I couldn't believe my luck.
I couldn't believe my eyes, when I saw your porcelain on the market.
When you showed me the photograph of Gordon Way in the newspaper, I couldn't believe my eyes.
I was skeptical, but when I... saw his code I couldn't believe my eyes, so I decided to help him.

Alternatives:

I couldn't believe what I was hearing
I was in disbelief at what I heard
I couldn't trust my own ears
I was astonished by what I heard
I was amazed by what I heard

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I couldn't believe my eyes vs I couldn't believe my ears