Give someone the evil eye
Meaning
To look at someone with an angry, hostile, or envious glare, often implying a desire to cause them harm or misfortune.
Origin
The belief in the "evil eye" is one of humanity's oldest and most pervasive superstitions, tracing its origins back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Across these cultures, it was widely feared that a malevolent glare, often born of intense envy or ill-will, possessed the power to inflict misfortune, sickness, or even death upon its unsuspecting target. This silent curse was thought to be cast simply by a glance, leading to widespread use of protective amulets like the blue 'nazar' in many cultures to ward off its dreaded effects. The phrase itself embodies this ancient, deeply rooted fear, describing the act of delivering such a powerful, harmful stare.
Examples
- When I didn't share my dessert, my younger sister proceeded to give me the evil eye from across the table.
- The rival team's coach started to give our star player the evil eye after he scored his third goal of the game.