an eye for an eye

1. The principle of justice that requires punishment equal in kind to the offense (not greater than the offense, as was frequently given in ancient times). Thus, if someone puts out another's eye, one of the offender's eyes should be put out. The principle is stated in the Book of Exodus as “Thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

Notes

Jesus referred to this principle in the Sermon on the Mount , calling on his followers to turn the other cheek instead.

Idioms and Phrases

Punishment in which the offender suffers what the victim has suffered, exact retribution, as in Joe believed in an eye for an eye; stealing his client would have to be avenged . This idiom is a quotation from the Bible, which has “Life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Deuteronomy 19:21); the idea is contradicted in the New Testament (see turn the other cheek ).

Example Sentences

He has vowed to match other countries’ levies on American goods, saying: “If they charge us, we charge them — an eye for an eye, a tariff for a tariff, same exact amount.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ashton also starred in films “An Eye for an Eye,” “Midnight Run,” “Little Big League” and “Some Kind of Wonderful,” among others.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s so much of what I saw in war, or learned in war, that I applied to my work on the show because the terminology of an eye for an eye, that’s not taken lightly,” Patel said.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet things have happened, an eye for an eye has happened.

From Los Angeles Times

Because, unfortunately, an eye for an eye wins.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• reprisal
• retribution
• revenge