blue-eyed boys
The preferred ones
Blue-eyed boys are favorites who receive special treatment or preferential attention, especially from someone in authority.
The phrase often carries a hint of resentment from those not so favored: The boss always gave the best assignments to his blue-eyed boys.
Chiefly British.
The singular blue-eyed boy is more common.
Family's most favored member
- teacher's petFavored student
- darlingBeloved person or pet
- apple of the eyeSomeone deeply cherished
- fair-haired boyFavored young protégé
chosen one · rising star · golden boy · pet · star pupil · heir apparent · whiz kid · anointed one
Advantages given selectively
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
unfairness · special treatment · inner circle · patronage · inequity · discrimination · double standard · playing favorites
Symbol of inherited wealth
- entitledHaving rightful claim
- advantagedHaving benefits others lack
- well-connectedHaving influential contacts
- eliteSuperior select group
born lucky · charmed life · easy ride · head start · leg up · inside track · fast track · golden ticket
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- envyResentful longing for another's
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
overlooked · passed over · sidelined · unfair · snubbed · disgruntled · aggrieved · undervalued
golden child
Family's most favored member
- teacher's petFavored student
- darlingBeloved person or pet
- apple of the eyeSomeone deeply cherished
fair-haired boy · chosen one · rising star · golden boy · pet · star pupil · heir apparent · whiz kid · anointed one · front-runner
preferential treatment
Advantages given selectively
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- partialityUnfair favor toward some
cronyism · unfairness · special treatment · inner circle · patronage · inequity · discrimination · double standard · playing favorites · clique
silver spoon
Symbol of inherited wealth
- entitledHaving rightful claim
- advantagedHaving benefits others lack
- well-connectedHaving influential contacts
elite · born lucky · charmed life · easy ride · head start · leg up · inside track · fast track · golden ticket · coattails
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- envyResentful longing for another's
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
resentful · overlooked · passed over · sidelined · unfair · snubbed · disgruntled · aggrieved · undervalued · unrecognized
blue-eyed boysscapegoats
Those blamed for others
whipping boys · black sheep · fall guys · underdogs · outcasts
blue-eyed boystroublemakers
Those causing problems deliberately
problem children · dead weight · liability · loose cannons · bad apples
blue, bluer, bluest, bluish, blues, blued, blueing, bluing, blueness