bat an eye

bat an eye

To display a subtle emotional reaction, such as consternation, annoyance, sadness, joy, etc. Generally used in the negative to denote that the person in question did not display even a hint of an emotional response. Mary didn't even bat an eye when I told her I was moving out. That guy is dangerous. I heard he killed a man without batting an eye.
See also: bat, eye
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • bat an eyelash
  • bat an eyelid
  • eyelid
  • not bat an eyelash
  • not bat an eyelid
  • not bat an eye
  • What was (one) smoking?
  • screw up (one's) face
  • geez
  • geeze
References in periodicals archive
Until then, Pakistan will stay at the 205th spot in the world and maybe drop a few spots, with no one there to bat an eye on the crisis at hand.
I could easily game plan six or seven hours a day and not bat an eye. I still very much enjoy coaching."
"Duterte allies who'd never bat an eye every time the president degrades, humiliates and sexualizes women do not deserve election to public office," Gabriela said.
'He didn't even bat an eye and asked everyone in line to allow the nine to come to the front of the line.'
figure By KIUMBUKU MUCHUKU While gaming desktops don't come cheap, laptops always leave a hole in the pocket, a factor that does not deter serious gamers in Kenya, who don't bat an eye at the ridiculously high hardware prices in the market.
"If it were part of my religion, nobody would bat an eye.
So stoked, in fact, that he didn't bat an eye trying to skate the first spot we found: a slippery marble hubba that doubled as a wallride, conveniently located near a beach.
And, interestingly, the guv didn't even bat an eye when his very own millennial commission came out in favor of commuter rail to Nashua a few months back.
In 2017, amidst threats of the creation of a self-serving authority, our military does not bat an eye. Its leaders do not hesitate when they say they will not support any threat to our Constitution, including a revolutionary government.
If the husband were 20 years old, no one would bat an eye.
The friendly staff at this traditional pub don't bat an eye at the sight of rain-soaked, mudcovered visitors coming through the doors of their cosy bar in search of a place to take the weight off their feet and refuel.
"Our starting one (guard) and our starting two (guard) get two fouls before you could bat an eye and it set a tone for the rest of the night."
KUWAIT, Jan 22 (KUNA) -- Probably most people would not bat an eye if they were told that smartphones have invaded almost every aspect of our lives.
MOST of us do not bat an eye nowadays if someone says they are gay.