“The apple of my eye” is the phrase we use for someone we cherish above all others. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its tenderness.
What Does “The Apple of My Eye” Mean?
The expression describes a person — or sometimes a thing — that someone loves and treasures above everyone and everything else. To be the apple of someone’s eye is to be their dearest, most precious, most carefully guarded treasure. It is most often used by parents and grandparents about a beloved child, and it carries a warmth of deep, protective affection.
Origin of the Proverb
The phrase is very old. In early English, the “apple” of the eye meant the pupil — once thought to be a small, solid, apple-shaped object at the centre of sight. Because eyesight was so precious and the pupil so vital, “the apple of the eye” became a way of naming something irreplaceable. It appears in the writings of King Alfred the Great in the ninth century, and famously in the King James Bible — “Keep me as the apple of the eye” (Psalm 17:8). From the most precious part of sight, it came to mean the most precious person in one’s life.
Examples in a Sentence
- “His youngest daughter is the apple of his eye.”
- “That old guitar was the apple of her eye.”
- “Ever since he was born, the boy has been the apple of his grandmother’s eye.”
Similar Proverbs
- The jewel of the house is the child — a child is a family’s greatest treasure.
- Near to one’s heart — dearly loved and valued.
- Worth its weight in gold — exceedingly precious.
- The light of my life — the person who brings one the greatest joy.
For more sayings about love and family, see our love proverbs and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “the apple of my eye” mean?
It means a person or thing that someone loves and treasures above all others — their dearest and most precious.
Where does the phrase come from?
In old English the “apple” of the eye meant the pupil — the precious centre of sight. The phrase appears in the writings of King Alfred and in the King James Bible (Psalm 17:8).
What is a similar saying?
“The light of my life” and “near to one’s heart” share the same sense of someone dearly loved and treasured.