bat\ an\ eye

bat\ an\ eye
• bat an eyelash
• bat an eye
• without batting an eye
• without batting an eyelash
v. phr. informal
To show surprise, fear, or interest; show your feelings. - Used in negative sentences.

When I told him the price of the car he never batted an eye.

Bill told his story without batting an eyelash, although not a word of it was true.

Compare: straight face

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • bat an eye — (not) bat an eye/eyelash/eyelid to not show any shock or surprise. So what did she say when you told her you were leaving? She didn t bat an eyelid …   New idioms dictionary

  • bat an eye — flinch or blink, show a sign of guilt or shame    When they asked him about the crime, he didn t bat an eye. His expression didn t change …   English idioms

  • bat an eye — or[bat an eyelash] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show surprise, fear, or interest; show your feelings. Used in negative sentences. * /When I told him the price of the car he never batted an eye./ * /Bill told his story without batting an eyelash,… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • bat an eye — or[bat an eyelash] {v. phr.}, {informal} To show surprise, fear, or interest; show your feelings. Used in negative sentences. * /When I told him the price of the car he never batted an eye./ * /Bill told his story without batting an eyelash,… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • not bat an eye — ● bat * * * not bat an eye see ↑bat, 4 • • • Main Entry: ↑eye * * * not bat an ˈeyelid idiom (BrE) ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • not bat an eye/eyelash — (US) (or Brit not bat an eyelid) informal : to show no surprise, fear, concern, etc. He thought the news would make her upset, but she never batted an eye. [=she did not appear to be upset at all] He listened without batting an eyelash. • • • …   Useful english dictionary

  • not bat an eye — If someone doesn t bat an eye, they do not react when other people normally would …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • not bat an eye — to not show any reaction. Mom didn t bat an eye when I told her I was getting married. Usage notes: also used in the form without batting an eye with the same meaning: She can give a formal dinner for thirty without batting an eye …   New idioms dictionary

  • not bat an eye — (not) bat an eye/eyelash/eyelid to not show any shock or surprise. So what did she say when you told her you were leaving? She didn t bat an eyelid …   New idioms dictionary

  • not bat an eye —    If someone doesn t bat an eye, they do not react when other people normally would.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

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