æn aɪ fɔr æn aɪ
Body Parts
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Taking someone's eye as punishment for them taking yours
What does "an eye for an eye" mean?
- Revenge or punishment that matches the original offense
- Retaliation in kind for a wrong suffered
Examples
- He believes in an eye for an eye justice.
- Some say an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
- The country's harsh legal system follows an eye for an eye philosophy.
Origin
Biblical origin from Exodus 21:24 and also mentioned in the Code of Hammurabi. The full phrase is 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' It originally defined proportional justice but is now often used to discuss revenge.
How to use it
Often used in discussions about justice and revenge. Gandhi is credited with the famous response: 'An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.'
Similar expressions
tit for tat
give as good as you get
measure for measure
Opposites
turn the other cheek
forgive and forget
Related idioms
- keep an eye on
To watch or monitor something carefully
- heart of gold
A very kind, generous, and caring nature
- caught red-handed
Caught in the act of doing something wrong
- keep your chin up
To stay positive and not be discouraged
- wrap your head around something
To understand something complex
- all ears
Listening attentively and eagerly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "an eye for an eye" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.