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• an eye for an eye
  an eye for an eye

  The principle of justice that requires punishment equal in kind to the offense (not greater than the offense, as was frequently given in ancient times). Thus, if someone puts out another's eye, one of the offender's eyes should be put out. The principle is stated in the Book of Exodus as “Thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
• eye for an eye, an
  eye for an eye, an

  Punishment in which the offender suffers what the victim has suffered, exact retribution, as in Joe believed in an eye for an eye; stealing his client would have to be avenged. This idiom is a quotation from the Bible, which has “Life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Deuteronomy 19:21); the idea is contradicted in the New Testament (see turn the other cheek).

an eye for an eye

Cultural  

1. The principle of justice that requires punishment equal in kind to the offense (not greater than the offense, as was frequently given in ancient times). Thus, if someone puts out another's eye, one of the offender's eyes should be put out. The principle is stated in the Book of Exodus as “Thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

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eye for an eye, an Idioms  

1. Punishment in which the offender suffers what the victim has suffered, exact retribution, as in Joe believed in an eye for an eye; stealing his client would have to be avenged. This idiom is a quotation from the Bible, which has “Life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Deuteronomy 19:21); the idea is contradicted in the New Testament (see turn the other cheek).

2. see eye for an eye.

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Jesus referred to this principle in the Sermon on the Mount, calling on his followers to turn the other cheek instead.

Example Sentences

She offers a better resolution than an eye for an eye, in the form a honey-flavored absolution, baked with love.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2024

A common misperception is that proportionality in self-defence means an eye for an eye, a rocket for a rocket, or a casualty for a casualty.

From BBC • May 15, 2021

To suggest, in the name of a child’s innocent gaze, that putting food on the table beats an eye for an eye, for then soon enough everyone is blind.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2020

“Justice is seen as an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

From The Guardian • Jun. 16, 2018

Oh great and mighty Khan, it is true that the law says an eye for an eye, but it does not say my eye.

From Told in the Coffee House Turkish Tales by Adler, Cyrus

Related Words

• reprisal
• retribution
• revenge