View synonyms for

black eye

noun

discoloration of the skin around the eye, resulting from a blow, bruise, etc.
a mark of shame, dishonor, etc.:
These slums are a black eye to our town.
damaged reputation:
Your behavior will give the family a black eye.

black eye

noun

bruising round the eye

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of black eye¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

A mark of shame, a humiliating setback, as in That there are enough homeless folks to need another shelter is a black eye for the administration . This metaphor alludes to having discolored flesh around the eye resulting from a blow. The term is also used literally, as in The mugger not only took Bill's wallet but gave him a black eye . [Late 1800s]

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It was a black eye for boxing without a punch being thrown and it dragged Benn into one of British boxing's biggest doping stories.

From

A peppy 50s housewife with a black eye has bludgeoned her partner.

From

“It certainly is a factor, especially for the younger generation, that fast fashion has a bit of a black eye,” said Ray Wimer, a professor of retail practice at Syracuse University.

From

Regardless, DeepSeek's sudden arrival is a "flex" by China and a "black eye for US tech," to use his own words.

From

He has a black eye, broken ribs, and his shirt is torn and bloodied.

From

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Blackett black-eyed pea

Browse