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frown on

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frown on someone or something

to disapprove of someone or something; to show displeasure or disapproval of someone or something. The Internal Revenue Service frowns on tax cheaters. Aunt Clara always seemed to frown on my cousin for some reason.

See also: frown, on

frown on something

to disapprove of something You can wear jeans, but I think the restaurant frowns on shorts and sneakers.

See also: frown, on

frown on

Regard with disapproval or distaste, as in Pat frowns on bad language. this idiom transfers the disapproving facial expression to the thought it expresses. [Late 1500s]

See also: frown, on

frown on

or frown upon

v.

To disapprove of something: The administration frowns on late submissions of the required forms. My parents frown upon loud music.

See also: frown, on