black eye

black eye

1. Literal discoloration in the area surrounding the eye(s) due to an accumulation of blood. He had a pretty bad black eye after the bully punched him in the face. I had two black eyes for several days after my car accident.
2. By extension, a blemish to one's reputation. That food critic's negative review really gave a black eye to my restaurant.
See also: black, eye
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

black eye

 
1. Lit. a bruise near the eye from being struck. (*Typically have ~; get ~; give someone ~.) I got a black eye from walking into a door. I have a black eye where John hit me.
2. Fig. harm done to one's character. (*Typically have ~; get ~; give someone ~.) Mary got a black eye because of her constant complaining. The whole group now has a black eye, and it will take years to recover our reputation.
See also: black, eye
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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]
See also: black, eye
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a black ˈeye

an area of dark skin (= a bruise) around the eye caused by an accident, somebody hitting you, etc: How did you get that black eye?
See also: black, eye
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

black eye

n. a moral blemish; an injury to the prestige of someone or something. That kind of behavior can give us all a black eye.
See also: black, eye
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a black eye
  • get a black eye
  • coon eye(s)
  • look (one) in the eye(s)
  • look somebody in the eye/face
  • look someone in the eye
  • see eye to eye
  • see eye to eye, to
  • have (one's)/an eye out for (someone or something)
  • see eye to eye with (someone)
References in periodicals archive
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The woman, 33, was taken to hospital and treated for a black eye and bruises.
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One had his teeth knocked out and suffered head and rib injuries while the other was given a black eye.
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ACTRESS Sadie Frost was at the centre of a mystery yesterday after being spotted with a black eye.
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A COVENTRY-BORN royal page was today keeping mum about the cause of his vivid black eye.
Purler gives royal page a shiner
By frequently talking conservative, and calling itself conservative - while pursuing or acquiescing to damaging policies that are anything but conservative - the administration has given conservatism black eye.
Relaunching a conservative ship of state
London, Dec 08 (ANI): Actress Reese Witherspoon has revealed that her kids 'freaked out little bit' when they saw their mother being knocked to the ground in a softball accident, which left her with black eye and a bloody nose.
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The defender has been transfer listed following a training ground bust- up with Dean Kiely, which left the former Coventry City goalkeeper sporting a black eye.
FOOTBALL: Todd on the list after Dean gets a shiner
A black eye refers to the area around the eye that becomes puffy, swollen and dark, usually after a heavy punch.
HOW TO TREAT.. A BLACK EYE
George's black eye came after a row with girlfriend Ros Hollidge, 36.
Bust-up 1 C-CUP ALEX SHOWS OFF HER NEW BOOBS Bust-up 2 AND BOOZY GEORGE SHOWS OFF SHINER
London, July 4 (ANI): Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is nowadays sporting a mysterious black eye.
Mystery behind Tony Blair's black eye
Cora names her baby sister Susan because she has such black eyes and blonde hair, she reminds Cora of a black eyed Susan prairie flower.
A Book for Black-Eyed Susan
"The Boy with Black Eyes" is a story of Brian, a gay college freshman who begins a relationship with a twenty-something young man known as Nathaniel.
The Boy with Black Eyes