Wide awake with 目が冴える
目が冴える literally means “the eyes become clear”. It describes becoming wide awake or sharply alert, sometimes so alert that you cannot sleep.
Dictionary Definition
神経が高ぶって、眠れなくなる。また、眠気がなくなる。
Unable to sleep due to heightened nerves. Also, to become no longer sleepy.
Goo Dictionary
Further Reading
- 目が冴える｜体の慣用句 (edewakaru.com)
Examples
Unable to fall asleep after a horror movie with 目が冴える
Komura and his mother watch a late-night horror movie. After his mother heads off to bed, Komura texts with Mie from class, who had also watched the movie with her father. The two switch to a phone call, and after a bit the subject of bedtimes comes up. Normally Mie can’t keep awake as late as Komura does.
- 小村:
- 「あ じゃあもう眠い…？」
- “Ah, then right now you're sleepy?”
- 三重:
- 「あ 今日は… なんか… 目が冴えちゃって…」
- “Ah, today I'm somewhat unable to fall asleep.”