Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

Averting one's attention with 目を離す

The Japanese expression ()(はな) 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()(はな)したら〜」 (similar to English, “took my eyes off for one second”) and 「()(はな)したスキに〜」.

Dictionary Definition

注意(ちゅうい)している()をそらす。

To avert one's eyes from paying attention.

Goo Dictionary

Further Reading

Examples

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

名探偵コナン » Volume 4 » Page 68

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...!”
(らん):
「もぉ!()(はな)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

にじいろフォトグラフ » Volume 1 » Page 92

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.

(さつき):
「それが… ちょっと()(はな)した(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)連絡(れんらく)して(さが)しに()るから…」
“I'm going to call the police, then I'm heading out to look for her...”