English Idioms from A-Z

Black Eye

The idiom "black eye" refers to a physical injury where the area around the eye turns black and blue due to a hit or a punch. However, it is also used figuratively to describe a situation where someone or something has been damaged or discredited.

For example, if a company is caught in a scandal, it may receive a "black eye" in the media, meaning that its reputation has been tarnished. Similarly, if a politician is caught lying, it may give their campaign a "black eye," meaning that their chances of winning the election have been damaged.

In short, "black eye" is used to describe a situation where someone or something has suffered a setback or damage, whether it be physical or metaphorical.


The usage of the idiom 'Black Eye' in a sentence

• The athlete's domestic violence incident resulted in a black eye for their entire career and legacy. (idiom used in a figurative sense with a high level of nuance and complexity)

• The politician's scandal caused a black eye for his party's reputation. (idiom used in a figurative sense)

• The company's unethical practices gave them a black eye in the eyes of their customers. (idiom used in a figurative sense with a higher level of complexity)

• I accidentally gave myself a black eye while playing with my dog. (basic sentence using the idiom)

• My sister got a black eye after falling off her bike yesterday. (simple sentence with context)

• The team's loss was a black eye for their championship hopes. (idiom used in a figurative sense with a more advanced vocabulary)

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