ENGLISH
REFERENCE

raccoon eyes

idiom
Meaning

The state of the orbits of the eyes (especially the undereye region) having a bluish-purplish coloration.

Origin

disputed origin

From raccoon + eyes, in reference to the color surrounding the eyes of raccoons.

Examples
SIMPLE

You have raccoon eyes from your mascara.

CONTEXTUAL

After crying during the sad movie, she looked in the mirror and saw raccoon eyes.

COMPLEX

Exhausted from sleepless nights and heavy makeup, the performer stared at her reflection, noticing the dark, smudged raccoon eyes staring back.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all eyes

    Watching alertly or attentively.

  2. 02

    all eyes and ears

    Very attentive.

  3. 03

    babies in the eyes

    The minute reflection which one sees of oneself in the eyes of another.

  4. 04

    bat one's eyes

    To signal or feign by fluttering one's eyelids, as romantic interest.

  5. 05

    bawl one's eyes out

    To cry, shed tears, weep loudly.

  6. 06

    believe one's eyes

    To believe that something which one directly sees is truly the case.

  7. 07

    clap eyes on

    To see; to lay eyes on.

  8. 08

    close one's eyes

    To ignore something.

Last updated April 17, 2026