what does "she was the apple of my eye" mean?

Answer 1

As a previous poster said, it is in the Bible (Old Testament - so the phrase is thousands of years old). Basically, it means "beloved."

I was surprised when I saw it there because nobody told me the phrase was in there.

Deuteronomy 32:10 "He shielded them and cared for them, guarding them as the apple of his eye."

Psalms 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of your eye."

Proverbs 7:2 "Keep my commands and live, my teaching as the apple of your eye"

Think about how you would feel about dessert when you're plodding through your liver and brussels sprouts dinner (apples were basically dessert then).

If you think similarly how sweet it'll be to be with her again when back from dealing with everything else in the world, then you understand what it is for her to be the "apple of your eye."

Answer 2

The apple of my eye

Meaning

Originally meaning the central aperture of the eye. Figuratively it is something, or more usually someone, cherished above others.

Origin

The phrase is exceedingly old and first appears in Old English in a work attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, AD 885, entitled Gregory's Pastoral Care. The earliest recorded use in modern English is in Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality, 1816:

"Poor Richard was to me as an eldest son, the apple of my eye."

It also appears in the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:10 (King James Version)

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

and Zechariah 2:8:

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

See also - phrases coined by Sir Walter Scott.

Answer 3

Meaning

Originally meaning the central aperture of the eye. Figuratively it is something, or more usually someone, cherished above others.

Origin

The phrase is exceedingly old and first appears in Old English in a work attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, AD 885, entitled Gregory's Pastoral Care. The earliest recorded use in modern English is in Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality, 1816:

"Poor Richard was to me as an eldest son, the apple of my eye."

It also appears in the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:10 (King James Version)

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

and Zechariah 2:8:

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

See also - phrases coined by Sir Walter Scott.

Answer 4

Meaning:
Originally meaning the central aperture of the eye. Figuratively it is something, or more usually someone, cherished above others.

Origin:
The phrase is exceedingly old and first appears in Old English in a work attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, AD 885, entitled Gregory's Pastoral Care. The earliest recorded use in modern English is in Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality, 1816:
"Poor Richard was to me as an eldest son, the apple of my eye."

It also appears in the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:10 (King James Version:
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

and Zechariah 2:8:
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Answer 5

It means that she is the very special to you...

People made songs about this.

You're the Apple of My Eye" is a song written by Otis Blackwell and initially recorded and released as a single in 1956 by The Four Lovers, the precursor to The Four Seasons. Recorded after they were denied the opportunity to record another Blackwell song, "Don't Be Cruel", "You're the Apple of My Eye" was The Four Lovers' first exposure to U.S. national publicity, reaching the #62 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning the quartet an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. One of two Four Lovers singles that RCA Victor Records released simultaneously, it was the quartet's only foray onto the Hot 100 before the formation of The Four Seasons five years later.

Answer 6

It's a phrase that tries to express in words what emotions can't. It's an expression of love and endearment, and showing protectiveness. Just like you guard your eye (the apple of the eye meaning the pupil) instinctively, like you close your eyes on reflex when dirt or anything else almost goes in, that same way you mean to express how dear you hold that person, therefore calling her "the apple of my eye".

Answer 7

The apple of my eye

Meaning

Originally meaning the central aperture of the eye. Figuratively it is something, or more usually someone, cherished above others.

Origin

The phrase is exceedingly old and first appears in Old English in a work attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, AD 885, entitled Gregory's Pastoral Care. The earliest recorded use in modern English is in Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality, 1816:

"Poor Richard was to me as an eldest son, the apple of my eye."

It also appears in the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:10 (King James Version)

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

and Zechariah 2:8:

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Answer 8

Apple To My Eye

Answer 9

I can answer the origin part of the question: Deuteronomy 32:10 says, "He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye."
The context would indicate that he would be something he wouldn't take his eyes off of (especially in a desert!), like something sacred or very special.
I hope this helps!

Answer 10

The "apple of my eye" is the pupil which has always been considered to be quite important and treasured. So when you say someone is the "apple of my eye" you are saying they are very special or precious to you.

Answer 11

It is a phrase used often in the Old Testament Bible, King James Version and it means "the pupil or center of the eye".
God says Jerusalem, Israel is the "apple of His eye", that's the reason most Christians support Israel and bless the land of Israel and fear for all the nations who continue to disdain and wish to destroy Israel. I don't think they realize that God will defend Israel and the will never destroy her again. Who wants to put their finger in the eye of God?
Zech.2:8; Deut. 32:10 and others!