What does it mean to "raise eyebrows"? — Sammy, Ghana
Answer
To raise eyebrows means to cause other people to react with surprise or mild disapproval. To raise an/your eyebrow means to move your eyebrows up in a way that shows surprise or mild disapproval.
Both of these phrases are often used figuratively. The following example sentences show how each phrased is used.
To raise eyebrows
Her sudden outburst in class raised eyebrows. [=classmates reacted with surprise or mild disapproval to her outburst]
He raised eyebrows when he walked down the street in a winter coat during summer. [=people were surprised to see him in clothing that was not appropriate for the weather]
The band's new album is raising eyebrows [=causing people to act with surprise or disapproval] with its shocking lyrics.
The scandal raised eyebrows [=caused surprise and/or disapproval] all over town.
To raise an/your eyebrow
He raised an eyebrow at his mother when she bought a sports car. [=he was surprised that his mother bought a sports car]
The townspeople raised their eyebrows at the new strict laws. [=they felt disapproval towards the new laws]
No one raised an eyebrow [=no one was surprised] when he quit his job; he never liked it anyway.
Her brother raised an eyebrow [=he expressed surprise and/or disapproval] when she told him she was moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
