Meaning: The focus of my eye; someone or something cherished above others.
Example: Of all the young ladies at the dance, I couldn't take my eye off of her. She was the apple of my eye.
Origins: AD 885 from an Old English work attributed to King Aelfred the Great and The Bible: Deuteronomy 32:10 and Zechoriah 2:8. More lately by Shakespeare and Sir Walter Scott.
(Definition and origins.)


Rewrites: The red delicious of my eye The apple of my joy The fruit of my appreciation The joy of my focus

Discussion: In the first rewrite, use the species of apple of your choice, any would probably work, although the more notable the variety the better the metaphor works.