puppy dog eyes

plural noun

variants or puppy-dog eyes or less commonly puppy eyes

: a solemn and usually hopeful or sad facial expression that is characteristic or suggestive of a pleading puppy

"Can we have these every night?" he said with puppy dog eyes.

—Marissa Miller

Dale was on his way out when I looked up at him from my task and said, "I can't get these screws tightened." I might have made puppy-dog eyes when I said it.

—Gayle Carline

It's normal to want to share scraps of food with your dog, especially when they're giving you puppy eyes while you eat.

—Lydia Smith

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above