Averting one's attention with 目を離す

The Japanese expression 目(め)を離(はな)す literally translates as “to take one’s eyes off” or “to look away”, and it is commonly used in the context of losing attention or becoming distracted from something. It conveys the idea that someone has stopped paying attention or has shifted their focus, usually with the implication that this lapse could lead to problems or consequences.

Usage

In everyday use, it’s often used in warnings or reminders, especially when there is a potential for something to go wrong if attention is diverted.

It often appears in the expressions 「ちょっと目(め)を離(はな)したら〜」 (similar to English, “took my eyes off for one second”) and 「目(め)を離(はな)したスキに〜」.

Dictionary Definition

注意(ちゅうい)している目(め)をそらす。

To avert one's eyes from paying attention.

Goo Dictionary

Examples

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This happens as soon as I take my eyes off you with 目を離す

During a trip on a train, Conan accidentally overhears that there is a bomb on the train, and it’s set to go off. Conan tries to follow the criminals as they disembark, but Ran stops him at the exit door.

コナン:

「あーーー」

“Ah...!”

蘭(らん):

「もぉ！目(め)を離(はな)すとすぐこれなんだから！」

“Geez! As soon as I take my eyes off you, this happens!”

When I took my eyes off her for just a minute with 目を離す

Satsuki leaves Sara, the young girl she’s watching, alone to go heat up lunch. When she returns with the food, Sara is nowhere to be found. Satsuki calls her sister to let her know what’s happened.

皐(さつき):

「それが…　ちょっと目(め)を離(はな)した隙(すき)に…」

“The thing is, I took my eyes off her for a just a minute...”

「これから警察(けいさつ)に連絡(れんらく)して探(さが)しに出(で)るから…」

“I'm going to call the police, then I'm heading out to look for her...”