What does ‘the apple of your eye’ mean?
To “the apple of your eye” means to someone cherished above all others. The phrase appears in the Bible (Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8). Brewer's lists it as a biblical phrase in common English use, originally referring to the pupil of the eye — the most delicate spot.
Origin
- The phrase appears in the Bible (Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8). Brewer's lists it as a biblical phrase in common English use, originally referring to the pupil of the eye — the most delicate spot.
How to use it
- A very old term of endearment.
- Example: His granddaughter is the apple of his eye.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.