Meaning & use
furrowed my eyebrows
Last updated
“furrowed my eyebrows” is a form of “furrow my eyebrows”.
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Moved my eyebrows together and down, making lines on my forehead, usually from confusion, worry, or anger.
Grammar: Past tense form; the base is 'furrow my eyebrows'. The verb 'furrow' takes an object.
Patterns
- furrowed my eyebrows
- furrowed your eyebrows
- furrowed one's eyebrows
I furrowed my eyebrows when I saw the strange math problem.
She furrowed her eyebrows at the unexpected question.
He furrowed his eyebrows in concentration as he read the map.
Word forms
| base form | furrow my eyebrows |
|---|---|
| third person singular | furrows my eyebrows |
| -ing form | furrowing my eyebrows |
Common combinations
- furrowed my eyebrows in confusion
- I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion at the complicated diagram.
- furrowed my eyebrows at someone
- She furrowed her eyebrows at him when he interrupted.
- furrowed my eyebrows slightly
- He furrowed his eyebrows slightly, not sure whether to laugh.
Synonyms and how they differ
- knitted my eyebrows
- Almost the same meaning; 'knitted' is often used for drawing the brows together in thought or annoyance.
- scowled
- Stronger and more clearly angry; it does not necessarily involve the eyebrows moving together.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: furrowed my eyebrows or raised my eyebrows?
furrowed my eyebrows vs raised my eyebrows
This means to lift your eyebrows, usually showing surprise. 'Furrowed' is the opposite movement, bringing them together and down.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option A correctly uses the past tense with the possessive 'my'. Option B wrongly suggests it shows surprise; furrowing usually shows confusion or worry. Option C is wrong because furrowing means bringing the brows together, not lifting. Option D has the wrong possessive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “furrowed my eyebrows”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.