From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclap eyes on somebody/somethingclap eyes on somebody/somethingSEE British English informal to see someone or something, especially when you did not expect to Mark had loved the house from the moment he clapped eyes on it. → clap
Examples from the Corpus
clap eyes on somebody/something• Even so I was surprised to know that Louise has never clapped eyes on her.• And that's another thing, none of us have clapped eyes on him.• Peter Moores impresses more with bat and gloves every time I clap eyes on him.• But before I clap eyes on his miserable face, I intend to down as many cups of sack as I can!• I need you so much at times that I wish, sincerely wish I'd never clapped eyes on you. 