The Village Idiom

one in the eye for

The idiom "one in the eye for" means to achieve victory or satisfaction over someone by delivering a blow or setback to them, often as a form of revenge or to prove oneself superior.

Filed under O

In a sentence

  • She told him she didn't need his help, but when he won the competition, it was definitely one in the eye for her.
  • After years of criticism, the artist's latest masterpiece is a real one in the eye for all his naysayers.
  • The company's unexpected success was a one in the eye for their competitors who had underestimated them.

Where it comes from and how it is used

One in the eye for is an interesting idiom that is commonly used in British English. It has its roots in the world of boxing and represents a situation where someone is dealt a blow to the eye, typically in a metaphorical sense. This idiom can be related to other idioms such as "wipe someone's eye," "eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," and "eye for an eye."

The origin of the idiom "one in the eye for" can be traced back to the sport of boxing. In boxing, landing a punch on an opponent's eye causes pain and potentially impairs their vision. This literal meaning of the idiom influenced its figurative sense, where it came to represent any situation where someone is figuratively "hit" or affected negatively, similar to being punched in the eye.

While the idiom "one in the eye for" originated in the context of boxing, it has since been adopted in general English usage. It is often employed in a wide variety of situations, both positive and negative. In some cases, it can be used to describe an unexpected or surprising victory or success, where someone has triumphed over adversity and come out on top. On the other hand, it can also be used to describe a situation where someone's plans or expectations have been thwarted or undermined, resulting in a setback or defeat.

For example, the idiom can be used in a sentence such as "His rival's unexpected promotion was one in the eye for him," indicating that the promotion was a personal blow or setback for him. Similarly, it could be used in a sentence like "The team's victory in the championship was one in the eye for their critics," emphasizing that the team's success was unexpected and served as a point of defeat for the naysayers.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.