black eye

noun

1. discoloration of the skin around the eye, resulting from a blow, bruise, etc.
2. a mark of shame, dishonor, etc.:

   These slums are a black eye to our town.

3. damaged reputation:

   Your behavior will give the family a black eye.

black eye

noun

1. bruising round the eye

Word History and Origins

Origin of black eye¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

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]

Example Sentences

In America, low turnout is the new black eye for a country founded on “no taxation without representation.”

From The Daily Beast

His black eye had ignited rumors he was being brutalized in custody.

From The Daily Beast

Why do we think selfies are such a black eye on the face of humanity?

From The Daily Beast

The result has been a huge black eye for the government, which will now incur significant financial and reputation costs.

From The Daily Beast

But Hermann may represent one black eye too many for Barchi and the public university.

From The Daily Beast

Nor did Ethel know that that caricature had been the cause of the black eye that Harry had brought home last summer.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Macauley writes her all about him every week, only she probably didn't mention the black eye.

From Project Gutenberg

The noble blackbird, with full black eye, pecks at the decaying apples upon the sward, and takes no heed of a footstep.

From Project Gutenberg

But Sidney, on the third day, came back with a black eye, and he would return no more.

From Project Gutenberg

He would have passed in comic opera anywhere; but the dart of his black eye was keen, his voice crisp and assured.

From Project Gutenberg