What phrase containing a fruit refers to someone who is your source of pride, the object of your love and affection.

When someone is described as the object of your deepest love and affection, a source of immense pride, they are often referred to by a specific, cherished idiom. This phrase perfectly encapsulates the feeling of holding someone or something in the highest regard, seeing them as utterly precious and indispensable to your happiness (Review) and well-being. It speaks to a profound connection, where that person is central to your world.

The origin of this sweet expression dates back centuries and has a fascinating anatomical root. The "apple" in this context does not refer to the common fruit, but rather to the pupil, the small, central opening of the eye. In ancient times, the pupil was considered the most vital and delicate part of the eye, essential for sight and even believed by some to house the very essence of a person or their spirit. It was something to be guarded and protected above all else due to its irreplaceable function.

Therefore, to call someone this particular "apple" meant they were as precious and indispensable to you as your own eyesight. They were held in the highest esteem, cherished and protected with the same intensity one would guard their most crucial sense. This powerful metaphor, found in texts as old as the King James Bible, has endured through time, beautifully conveying a love so profound that the beloved individual becomes the very core of one's existence and emotional vision.