black eye

American  

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.

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black eye British  

noun

1. bruising round the eye

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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]

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Etymology

Origin of black eye

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

She just stood there in the moonlight with a warm little smile on her face, staring out over the river, her black eyes glowing like black haws in the morning dew.

From Literature

Last to take shape were four small paws and two beady black eyes.

From Literature

Getting off on the wrong foot was a Mom catchphrase—that was what she’d said about Jonah and Billy Barton in second grade, when Jonah came home with a black eye.

From Literature

She had shiny black hair and kind black eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled, and she smiled a lot.

From Literature

He hit his head on the bedpost and got a dandy black eye.

From Literature