raising eyebrows

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Causing surprise, shock, or mild disapproval because something seems unusual or improper.

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb or as a participle: the decision is raising eyebrows; a remark that is raising eyebrows.

   Patterns

   • something is raising eyebrows
   • raise eyebrows
   • raise a few eyebrows

   The company's sudden price increase is raising eyebrows among customers.

   Her comments at the meeting raised a few eyebrows.

   A decision to hire his own son raised eyebrows across the department.

2. 2phraseidiom

   Lifting your eyebrows as a facial expression to show surprise, doubt, or a question.

   Grammar: This literal sense describes a physical action: she was raising her eyebrows at me.

   Patterns

   • raise your eyebrows at someone
   • raise an eyebrow

   He was raising his eyebrows at me from across the room.

   She raised an eyebrow when he mentioned the price.

   The teacher raised her eyebrows and waited for an answer.

Common combinations

raise eyebrows

The referee's decision raised eyebrows among the fans.

raise a few eyebrows

His outfit raised a few eyebrows at the formal dinner.

cause eyebrows to be raised

The delay caused eyebrows to be raised in the head office.

enough to raise eyebrows

The gift was expensive enough to raise eyebrows.

Synonyms and how they differ

cause surprise

A plain phrase with no suggestion of disapproval; raising eyebrows usually hints that people also disapprove.

shock

Much stronger; it suggests real outrage, while raising eyebrows is often mild or amused.

Word family

eyebrow noun

The line of hair above the eye.

raise verb

To lift something to a higher position.

Commonly confused: raising eyebrows or raising eyes?

Practice

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