raise (one's) eyebrows
raise (one's) eyebrows
1. To lift one's eyebrows in a display of shock, surprise, or offense. She raised her eyebrows at the idea, but after I went through the details of the plan, she was agreed to support it.
2. To elicit shock, surprise, or offense, typically through unconventional actions or words. The phrase typically suggests negative attention or judgment. Her irreverent chatter during the ceremony raised many people's eyebrows. Sarah's pink hair definitely raised a few eyebrows, but if she likes it, then that's all that matters.
See also: eyebrow, raise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
raise eyebrows
COMMON If something that someone does raises eyebrows, it surprises, shocks, or offends people. The size of his salary has certainly raised eyebrows. His outspoken comments raised a few eyebrows at the meeting. Note: You can also say that something causes raised eyebrows. Her articles have caused some raised eyebrows over the years.
See also: eyebrow, raise
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
raise your eyebrows (or an eyebrow)
show surprise, disbelief, or mild disapproval.See also: eyebrow, raise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
raise your ˈeyebrows (at something)
show, by the expression on your face, that you disapprove of or are surprised by something: Eyebrows were raised when he arrived at the wedding in jeans. When he said he was leaving, there were a lot of raised eyebrows.See also: eyebrow, raise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
raise eyebrows
To cause surprise or mild disapproval.
See also: eyebrow, raise
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- raise eyebrows
- raise your eyebrows
- raised
- out of wedlock
- out(side) of wedlock
- cause
- knit (one's) eyebrows
- grow in
- mop-top
- be written all over your face