spit in (one's) eye

spit in (one's) eye

To spitefully and deliberately insult or show contempt for someone. Many felt that the judge spat in the victim's eye by giving the perpetrator such a short prison sentence. Desperate to break free of their domineering influence, Samantha spat in her parents' eye by running away to live in a commune.

See also: eye, spit

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

spit in someone's eye

or

spit in the eye of someone

If someone spits in your eye, they deliberately do something that upsets or annoys you. Garcia spat right in the eyes of her critics by winning her opening match.

See also: eye, spit

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012