Literal Translation
Not to have the eyes in front of the holes
Actual Meaning
Not seeing clearly, or missing something that’s right under one’s nose (especially when looking)
Etymology
This is a popular expression that dates back to the 17th century and originates from an earlier saying, ‘avoir les yeux de travers’ (to have crooked eyes). At the time, ‘les yeux’ referred to the gaze.
Since then, the wording has changed, but the concept has remained similar: that of an individual so drunk that they can no longer move naturally due to blurred vision. A person whose eyes are not in their sockets, so visually, it looks like ‘not facing the holes’.
In Quebecois, they say ‘cogner des clous’ (to walk into nails)…