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Definition
色眼鏡(いろめがね, “iro megane”) is a Japanese idiomatic expression that literally means “coloured glasses”. It is usually used as “…を色眼鏡で見(み)る” (look at … through coloured glasses) and that figuratively means “have a prejudiced and specific view about someone (due to their nationality, educational background, etc)”. For instance, some people in Japan (and many other countries) see foreigners through “coloured glasses”, expecting that they would behave how they are often stereotyped in the media.
* In English, there is a similar expression “rose-coloured glasses” meaning “optimistic eyes”, but the Japanese phrase is used to illustrate a distorted and prejudiced view rather than an embellished one.
Example
日本(にほん)では、東大生（とうだいせい）は色眼鏡で見(み)られることが多(おお)い。
In Japan, 東大生 (students at The University of Tokyo) are often “viewed through coloured glasses” (many people have a prejudiced view about them).
(Note) Many Japanese people have very strong stereotypes about 東大 (The University of Tokyo) students and graduates due to the difficulty to get into the university. Some people see them as “different” from ordinary people and put a giant wall up against them, while others pour scorn on them, stating that they have a twisted and cokcy personality and can’t do anything but study.
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