give someone a black eye—
1. bruise or discolor smb.’s eye by a blow:
- He grew angry and we mixed it. I gave him a black eye.
2. harm a person’s character or reputation:
- The constant complaining gave the whole group a black eye.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give someone the evil eye—look fierce or vicious; stare at smb. in a bad way:
- The Highway Patrolman gave me the evil eye as we both headed out of the parking lot. He didn’t look quite so friendly anymore.
give someone a black look —(also: look black at someone) frown or look angrily at a person:
- Mama gave her a black look and everyone else glanced at her for a moment as if she were quite mad.