one in the eye for

one in the eye for

A disappointment or misfortune for someone. Typically used to describe how one is negatively impacted by someone else's actions. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Jenny's success at her new company is one in the eye for her old boss. I'm your mother—of course your bad grades are one in the eye for me!

See also: eye, one

one in the eye for someone

BRITISH

If you say that something you do is one in the eye for someone, you mean that it will annoy them. I want to show Arsenal they were wrong to let me go. Every goal I score now is one in the eye for them. His Nobel prize will be seen in Mexico as one in the eye for the novelist, Carlos Fuentes, who is regarded as his great left-wing rival.

See also: eye, one, someone

one in the eye for

a disappointment or setback for someone or something, especially one that is perceived as being well deserved.

See also: eye, one

one in the eye for somebody/something

(informal) a result, an action, etc. that represents a defeat or disappointment for somebody/something: The appointment of a woman was one in the eye for male domination.

See also: eye, one, somebody, something