all eyes and ears

— 1747 February, Viscount Ebrington (tr., ed.), the Père Girard (author), The Mother-Tongue: Or, Methodical Instruction in the Mother-Tongue in Schools and Families, John W. Parker, page 26, The volatility of children is proverbial: from the cradle their attention is attracted toward the visible objects around them, particularly towards those which shine or move, or emit sound. Thus they have accustomed themselves to be all eyes and ears; not indeed for the dumb language of a book, or for lessons which are often monotonous and unintelligible, but in order to see and hear whatever may stimulate their natural curiosity.