To shine means to polish something, to make something smooth and bright.
There is a metaphorical connection between polishing shoes or to shine surfaces, and ‘shine your eyes.’ Polishing shoes makes them shine, implying clarity and visibility.
Even though Nigeria may not be the only country using ‘shine your eyes,’ the phrase generally means to clarify or open one’s perception, implying vigilance and awareness.
‘Shine your eyes’ transforms the physical act of polishing shoes into a mental state of vigilance. ‘Shine your eyes’ uses the idea of opening one’s eyes to encourage individuals to be mindful and cautious in their daily interactions including situations involving trust, money or important decisions.
The link between the two phrases lies in the creative adaptation of language, where a physical concept (shining shoes) inspires a metaphorical expression (shining eyes) to convey a distinct cultural value (vigilance).
Both phrases involve the concept of ‘shining,’ clarity, improvement or enhancement. Just as polishing shoes makes them shine, ‘shining your eyes’ metaphorically means to sharpen or refine one’s perception, making it more acute. It emphasizes the importance of being perceptive in navigating everyday challenges.
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