The word "刮目相看" is formed from a historical anecdote where the phrase "刮目" (literally "scrape the eyes", meaning to clear one's vision for a fresh look) was combined with "相看" (meaning "to look at someone") to create an idiom. It originates from a story about Lü Meng in the Three Kingdoms period, where after he improved himself, it was said that one must "刮目相看" to reassess him, thus forming the compound term to express viewing someone with renewed respect due to change.