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Mud in your eye is something people say when they toast somebody or something.
This idiom might have its origins in horse racing. Horses kick up mud when they are racing, and if a horse kicks mud into the eyes of the jockey behind they will not be able to see well and they will lose the race.
So this idiom might actually mean 'I hope you get mud in your eye and I win the race'.
Example of use:
1. Here's mud in your eye!
A toast is usually said in honour of somebody or something.
toast (noun) – a toast is a drink in honour of somebody or something
toast (verb) to toast is to have a drink in honour of somebody or something.
Example of use:
1. Everybody, please toast the bride and groom.
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About Angela Boothroyd
You don't provide any evidence for your assertion of the horse racing origin of 'mud in your eye'. How do you know?
Hi,
Thank you for your comment.
The explanation of this idiom’s origins is one that I’ve heard many times, and read in various sources. Of course the origins of many idioms are often unclear, and without proper evidence, but you’re right to point out that I don’t provide any evidence for my explanation and so I’ve changed it to read ‘this idiom might have its origins in horse racing’. Thanks again for your comment.
Angela.