BLACK EYE Definition & Meaning

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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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of black eye¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

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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]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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

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“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.

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

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

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These black eyes on California are critical dilemmas.

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

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