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

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

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The play was such a black eye that it was widely credited with putting an end to the standoff between the NFL and its referees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The problem is a black eye for Hyundai as it ramps up sales of the redesigned Palisade, one of its most popular models.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

He recovers from that brush with death by slapping bandages on his face and sunglasses over his black eye to downplay the damage, a la Jack Nicholson’s Jake in “Chinatown.”

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025

The photographer was now circling the fishbowl with the black eye of the camera aimed at Ralph.

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary