You Are the Apple of My Eye Meaning, Synonyms, Examples

The meaning of the idiom ‘you are the apple of my eye’ is when a person loves someone and is proud of his/her achievements. In other words, you are the apple of my eye is the phrase that someone refers to if they cherish and adore you. The phrase ‘you are the apple of my eye’ is used to express the feeling of love and pride towards someone.

You Are the Apple of My Eye Meaning and Origin

The phrase “You are the apple of my eye” means that someone is deeply cherished or loved above all others. It expresses a strong sense of affection, admiration, and importance. Typically used for loved ones—such as children, partners, or close friends—it signifies that the person holds a special place in one’s heart.

The origin of this phrase dates back to ancient times. It appears in the Bible, in Deuteronomy 32:10 and Psalm 17:8, where it refers to divine protection and deep care. In early English, “apple” referred to the pupil of the eye, which was considered vital and precious. The phrase gained popularity in the 17th century, notably in Shakespeare’s works and later in Sir Walter Scott’s novel Old Mortality (1816).

Today, “You are the apple of my eye” remains a poetic way to express love and deep affection for someone truly special.

Also read: Idioms and their meaning

You Are The Apple of My Eye Usage with Examples

Given below are a few examples of the idiom ‘you are the apple of my eye’:

• Mary loves his son very much, he is the apple of her eye.
• Good job my son, you have won the gold medal for the state, you are the apple of my eye.

Also read: No pain, no gain meaning

Synonyms and Related Phrases With ‘You Are The Apple of My Eye’

Mentioned below are some synonyms that could be used instead of the idiom ‘you are the apple of my eye’:

• Dearset
• Favourite
• Cherished one 
• Beloved 
• Darling 

You Are The Apple of My Eye Meaning Quiz

Q1. What does the phrase “You are the apple of my eye” mean?
a) Someone who is disliked
b) Someone who is deeply cherished
c) Someone who is annoying
d) Someone who is always angry

Answer: b) Someone who is deeply cherished

Q2. Where does the phrase “apple of my eye” originally appear?
a) Greek mythology
b) Shakespeare’s plays
c) The Bible
d) Egyptian texts

Answer: c) The Bible

Q3. In old English, what did the word “apple” in this phrase refer to?
a) A favorite fruit
b) The pupil of the eye
c) A valuable object
d) A magical potion

Answer: b) The pupil of the eye

Q4. Which of these is a synonym for “apple of my eye”?
a) A thorn in my side
b) My pride and joy
c) A drop in the ocean
d) A needle in a haystack

Answer: b) My pride and joy

Q5. Who popularised the phrase in literature in the 19th century?
a) Charles Dickens
b) William Shakespeare
c) Sir Walter Scott
d) Mark Twain

Answer: c) Sir Walter Scott

Q6. In which Shakespearean play is a similar phrase used?
a) Macbeth
b) A Midsummer Night’s Dream
c) Hamlet
d) Romeo and Juliet

Answer: b) A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Q7. If someone says, “My daughter is the apple of my eye,” what do they mean?
a) Their daughter is a troublemaker
b) Their daughter is very dear to them
c) Their daughter loves apples
d) Their daughter is a great cook

Answer: b) Their daughter is very dear to them

Q8. Which idiom has a similar meaning to “apple of my eye”?
a) A penny for your thoughts
b) Light of my life
c) Jump on the bandwagon
d) Let the cat out of the bag

Answer: b) Light of my life

Q9. What is the opposite of “apple of my eye”?
a) My biggest weakness
b) A thorn in my side
c) A walk in the park
d) My guiding light

Answer: b) A thorn in my side

Q10. How is the phrase “apple of my eye” commonly used today?
a) To describe a favorite person or thing
b) To insult someone
c) To refer to a new invention
d) To describe a difficult task

Answer: a) To describe a favorite person or thing

Also read: Useful idioms for IELTS exam that will boost your score

Check out other idioms here:

Cup of Tea	Above Board
Long in the Tooth	Come Up With
Ivory Tower	At Cross
Slam Dunk	To Blaze a Trail
A Stalking Horse	Hobsons Choice
Weather the Storm	Have an Axe to Grind
In the Offing	Make Headway
Pie in the Sky	Tall Order
All in All	Lemon Law
Alarums and Excursions	Stress Out

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