The painting seemed to come alive before their very eyes.
Meaning: The painting was so realistic and lifelike that it seemed to come to life and move before the viewers' eyes.
Choice of Words: Painting: a work of art made with paint. Come alive: start to seem real or active. Eyes: the organs of sight.
Alternative Expressions
The painting appeared to spring to life before their very eyes.
Meaning: This means that the painting seemed to come to life and move in front of them.
Choice of Words:Appeared means to come into view or become visible. Spring means to move or jump quickly. To life means to become alive or active. Before their very eyes means right in front of them.
The painting gave the illusion of coming alive before their eyes.
Meaning: This means that the painting looked so real that it seemed to come to life in front of them.
Choice of Words:Illusion means something that appears to be real but is not. Coming alive means becoming alive or active. Before their eyes means right in front of them.
The painting seemed to breathe and move before their astonished eyes.
Meaning: This means that the painting looked so real that it seemed to be breathing and moving in front of them, which surprised them.
Choice of Words:Breathe means to take in and release air. Move means to change position. Astonished means surprised or amazed. Eyes means the organs of sight.