This paper explores the way in which translators process the meaning of non-literal expressions by investigating the gaze times associated with these expressions. Specifically, we wish to investigate whether professional translators invest more cognitive effort in the translation of metaphorical expressions than in non-metaphorical expressions. Eye tracking was used to collect data, a methodology that enables us to observe – albeit indirectly – the cognitive processes of the participants. An increase in gaze time was taken to indicate an increase in cognitive effort, as is the norm in research employing eye tracking (Rayner& Sereno 1994: 58, Jakobsen & Jensen 2008: 114).