temptation; too good to resist; something one shouldn't see
Often used when seeing something desirable (food, goods, etc.) makes one want it, or when seeing something is bad for one's peace of mind. Frequently appears in phrases like 目の毒だ or 目の毒になる.
This cake is too much of a temptation—I'm on a diet.
harmful to the eyes; bad for one's eyes
Literal meaning: something that damages or strains the eyes. Less common than the figurative sense, but still used, e.g., for bright lights or excessive screen time.
Seeing the new game is a temptation, so I stay away from the store.
Reading in the dark is bad for your eyes.
Compound of 目 (eye) + の (possessive particle) + 毒 (poison). Literally 'poison to the eyes', it figuratively means something so tempting or harmful that seeing it is like poison.