blue-eyed boy

IPA/ˌbluː aɪd ˈbɔɪ/
IPA/ˌbluː aɪd ˈbɔɪ/

blue-eyed boy — noun

1. a man or boy whom a person in charge gives special attention to and protects, of

1.nounC1
Definition

a man or boy whom a person in charge gives special attention to and protects, often more than the others around him deserve

Example

Everyone at the bank knew Christopher was the manager's blue-eyed boy.

possessive: someone's blue-eyed boy

Feng was once the coach's blue-eyed boy, but a missed penalty changed that.

Common collocations
  • boss's blue-eyed boy
  • manager's blue-eyed boy
Synonyms
  • favourite

    neutral and general; lacks the slightly resentful tone

  • golden boy

    stresses success and promise, not just being liked by a superior

  • fair-haired boy

    American equivalent with the same favoured-by-the-boss meaning

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

someone's blue-eyed boy

Usage Note

Almost always possessive — '[someone]'s blue-eyed boy' — where the someone is a boss, teacher, or other figure of authority. Often carries a faintly disapproving tone from the people who feel overlooked.

Common Mistakes

She is the manager's blue-eyed boy.
She is the manager's golden girl.
'blue-eyed boy' refers to a male; use another phrase for a woman.

Etymology

English

The phrase grew out of an older sense in which blue eyes were admired as a mark of beauty and innocence, so a 'blue-eyed boy' was one seen as charming and worthy of fondness. By the early twentieth century the expression had narrowed to its modern, slightly mocking use: a male singled out for special favour by someone in charge.