black eye

American  

noun

black eyes plural

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 British  

noun

1. bruising round the eye

---

black eye Idioms  

1. 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]

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• black eyes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of black eye

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black eye

They reportedly helped work the president up, casting the red card as a black eye for the U.S.

From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026

“It’s a major black eye for college athletics,” Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026

That naturally contributes to the fund’s volatility, and in the past led to a significant black eye.

From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026

“I think it’s a major black eye for the city of L.A.,” one music executive said of Wasserman’s Epstein ties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 11, 2026

Her red hair was piled haphazardly on top of her head, and she was sporting an impressive black eye from our combat training that day.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin