bat an eyelid



bat an eyelid

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 eyelid when I told her I was moving out. That guy is dangerous. I heard he killed a man without batting an eyelid.
See also: bat, eyelid

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Spiridon-Greek, Serbian, Croatian
Williamson['wiljəmsən]
MÁIreMOI-raIrish
NyreeNIE-reeEnglish (New Zealand)
Marisamah-REE-zah (Italian), mah-REE-sah (Spanish), mə-RIS-ə (English)Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English
PennyPEN-eeEnglish