English

Phrase

here's looking at you

1. A toast made to a friend or acquaintance when drinking an alcoholic beverage.
   • 1894, Robert Barr, In the Midst of Alarms, ch. 4:

     "Here's looking at you," said Yates, strolling into the barn, taking a telescopic metal cup from his pocket, and clinking it into receptive shape by a jerk of the hand. He offered the now elongated cup to Hiram, who declined any such modern improvement.

     "Help yourself in that thing. The jug's good enough for me."

   • 1915, Robert Frost, "A Hundred Collars":

     "I drink out of the bottle—not your style.

     Mayn't I offer you—?"

     "No, no, no, thank you."

     "Just as you say. Here's looking at you then."

   • 2009, Catelin Hoover, The Assignment, ISBN 9781449052829, p. 105 (Google preview):

     “Here's looking at you, Dave, old man,” Nick gestured a toast with a half filled punch cup.