A black eye Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈbɫæk/ /ˈaɪ

uh BLAK eye

UK

æɪ/ /blˈæk/ /ˈaɪ

uh-BLAK eye

Definition

A black and blue mark around the eye, usually caused by a hit or injury. Sometimes also used to describe damage to someone's reputation.

Usage & Nuances

Informal. Most often describes a visible bruise from a punch or accident ('He gave me a black eye'). Can figuratively mean harm to reputation ('The scandal gave the company a black eye'). Often used with 'get', 'give', or 'have'.

• Spanish: un ojo morado - un ojo hinchado (informal)
• Portuguese (BR): um olho roxo
• Portuguese (PT): um olho negro - um olho inchado (informal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 黑眼圈 - 青肿眼 (俗语)
• Chinese (Traditional): 黑青的眼睛 - 黑眼圈 (俗語)
• Hindi: नीली आँख - काली आँख
• Arabic: عين سوداء - عين منتفخة (تعبير مجازي)
• Bengali: কালো চোখ
• Russian: фингал под глазом - синяк под глазом
• Japanese: 黒あざ（目の周り）
• Vietnamese: mắt thâm - vết bầm quanh mắt
• Korean: 멍든 눈
• Turkish: göz morluğu
• Urdu: کالا چشم (آنکھ کے ارد گرد نیلا یا سیاہ نشان)
• Indonesian: mata lebam

Example Sentences

She got a black eye playing soccer yesterday.

basic

He punched the wall and ended up with a black eye.

basic

Have you ever had a black eye before?

basic

The company got a black eye after the news of the scandal broke.

natural

Don’t worry, it’s just a black eye—it will heal soon.

natural

He came to work with a black eye, but refused to say what happened.

natural