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.

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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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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 would also be a black eye for FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, which has advertised high-end food and beverage service in the stadium’s suites while charging thousands of dollars for tickets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 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

But she came in smiling without so much as a black eye.

From "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson