idiom
An Eye for an Eye
an EYE for an EYE
/æn aɪ fɔːr æn aɪ/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
aneyeforaneye
Dictionary meaning
Retaliation should be equal to the original offence; punishment should mirror the harm done
History and origin
From the biblical Exodus 21:24 and Hammurabi's Code (~1754 BCE); originally intended to limit disproportionate retaliation, not to mandate literal retaliation
Examples
- Some critics of harsh sentencing laws invoke the eye-for-an-eye principle, questioning whether imprisonment truly reflects the harm a non-violent drug offender caused.
Pronunciation tips
Often misunderstood; in its historical context the phrase capped revenge rather than encouraged it
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