apple of one's eye: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, poetic, semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “apple of one's eye” mean?
A person or thing that is very precious or deeply cherished.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that is very precious or deeply cherished.
The most cherished, beloved, or favourite person or thing; the object of one's greatest affection or pride.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The phrase is equally understood and used in both varieties, though slightly archaic.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of tender, almost old-fashioned affection. Can be used sincerely or ironically.
Frequency
Low frequency in spontaneous speech in both regions; more common in writing, literature, and formal speeches.
Grammar
How to Use “apple of one's eye” in a Sentence
[Subject] be/remain/become the apple of [Possessive Pronoun] eye.He/She/It is the apple of [Possessive Pronoun] eye.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'This project has become the apple of the CEO's eye.'
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or historical texts discussing the phrase's origin.
Everyday
Used to express deep affection for family members, especially children or grandchildren.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apple of one's eye”
- Using the wrong possessive pronoun (e.g., 'apple of the eye').
- Using plural incorrectly (e.g., 'apples of our eyes' – this is possible but very rare).
- Confusing it with 'bad apple'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from Old English, where 'apple' referred to the pupil of the eye. The phrase appears in the Bible (Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8) symbolising something precious and protected.
It can be used for both, though it is more commonly used for cherished people, especially children.
It is semi-formal to literary. It sounds heartfelt and slightly old-fashioned, so it's not typical for very casual conversation.
Yes, it can be used humorously or sarcastically to imply someone is overly fond of a seemingly trivial object (e.g., 'His new smartphone is the apple of his eye').
A person or thing that is very precious or deeply cherished.
Apple of one's eye: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæp.l̩ əv wʌnz ˈaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæp.l̩ əv wʌnz ˈaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pride and joy”
- “The golden child”
- “Teacher's pet”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a precious, shiny apple reflected in the centre (pupil) of someone's eye – the thing they are always looking at with love.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MOST CHERISHED OBJECT IS THE CENTRE/PUPIL OF THE EYE (from old anatomical belief).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely context for using 'apple of one's eye'?