Definition

1. Noun:
   • A swollen, bruised area around the eye, typically caused by a blow or injury: This is the most common meaning, referring to the physical discoloration and swelling resulting from trauma to the eye area.
   • A mark of shame or discredit; a bad reputation: This figurative meaning describes damage to one's reputation or standing, often as a result of a scandal, failure, or embarrassing event.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Injury):

  • He got a black eye after the fight.
  • She wore sunglasses to hide her black eye.

• Noun (Figurative - Reputation):

  • The scandal gave the company a black eye.
  • His poor performance in the debate was a political black eye.

Advanced Usage

• "to give someone/something a black eye": This phrase is commonly used in its figurative sense to mean causing damage to the reputation of a person, group, or institution.
  • The data breach gave the tech firm a black eye with its customers.

Variants and Related Words

• Shiner (n, informal): A synonym for a black eye as a physical injury.
  • He came to work with a real shiner.

Synonyms

• Physical Injury: Bruise, contusion (medical term), mouse (slang).
• Figurative Damage: Disgrace, stain, blemish, blot.

Related Idioms

• "A black mark": Similar to the figurative use of "black eye," meaning a note of discredit or failure against someone's record.
  • The safety violation was a black mark on the factory's record.

Noun

1. an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
2. a bad reputation
   • his behavior gave the whole family a black eye
3. a swollen bruise caused by a blow to the eye