eye-opener

Noun

eye-opener (plural eye-openers)

1. (literally) Something that causes the eyes to open, or that opens the eyes.
2. (informal) Something that provides a sudden insight, or makes something clear that was previously mysterious.
3. (idiomatic, informal) A startling or shocking revelation.
   • A visit to the slaughterhouse was a real eye-opener to anyone who thought they understood where their food came from.
   • That was a very big eye-opener for me, after being very cocooned, living most of my life in the city where I was born and raised.2013, R. Heppner, The Lost Leaders: How Corporate America Loses Women Leaders
4. (euphemistic, informal) A strong alcoholic beverage, especially one consumed in the morning.
   • As soon as I got on the plane I asked the flight attendant for an eye-opener, but all he had to offer was orange juice.
5. (informal, sometimes objectifying) An attractive woman.
   • Near-synonym: eye candy
   • Seems appropriate that Ann Miller should be in Columbia's "Reveille With Beverly." We've never seen anyone capable of "showing a leg" more attractively. At close range, too, she's an eye-opener.1943 August 19, “It's high time you met ANN MILLER”, in Good Morning, number 106, London: Royal Navy Submarine Branch, →OCLC, page 1

   Synonyms:

   eye candy