| 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. |
| black eye n.
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black eye
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black eye n.
A bruised discoloration of the flesh surrounding the 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]