ENGLISH
REFERENCE

one in the eye for

idiom
Meaning

An event or achievement which is unpleasant for someone, especially for those who considered it impossible or unwelcome; an annoyance.


Examples
SIMPLE

Winning the game was one in the eye for our rivals.

CONTEXTUAL

Getting the promotion after the manager said I was unqualified was certainly one in the eye for him.

COMPLEX

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.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 03

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  4. 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.

  5. 05

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  6. 06

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  7. 07

    become one flesh

    To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.

  8. 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 April 17, 2026