black eye
noun
discoloration of the skin around the eye, resulting from a blow, bruise, etc.
a mark of shame, dishonor, etc.: These slums are a black eye to our town.
damaged reputation: Your behavior will give the family a black eye.
Origin of black eye
First recorded in 1595–1605
Words nearby black eye
Example sentences from the Web for black eye
British Dictionary definitions for black eye
black eye
noun
bruising round the eye
Medical definitions for black eye
black eye
n.
A bruised discoloration of the flesh surrounding the eye.
Idioms and Phrases with black eye
black eye
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]