one in the eye for
An event or achievement which is unpleasant for someone, especially for those who considered it impossible or unwelcome; an annoyance.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Winning the game was one in the eye for our rivals.”
“Getting the promotion after the manager said I was unqualified was certainly one in the eye for him.”
“The unexpected success of the small startup served as one in the eye for the industry giants who had dismissed the project as a failure.”
- 01
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
compensation for injury caused by a person, in the form of inflicting of an identical injury on that person.
- 02
apple of someone's eye
The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.
- 03
as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
- 04
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 05
back to square one
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
- 06
beat as one
To share the same feelings.
- 07
become one flesh
To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.
- 08
bite off more than one can chew
To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.
Last updated August 10, 2026