roll my eyes

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   To turn your eyes upward or around to show that you find someone annoying, silly or boring.

   Grammar: No separate object; the possessive changes: I roll my eyes, he rolls his eyes.

   Patterns

   • roll your eyes at someone
   • roll your eyes at something

   My brother rolled his eyes when I told the same joke again.

   I had to roll my eyes at the sales pitch.

   She rolled her eyes and kept walking.

2. 2phraseidiomfigurative

   To feel or show exasperated disbelief, even without an actual eye movement, as when reading or hearing something foolish.

   Grammar: Often used figuratively in writing: I roll my eyes at that argument.

   Patterns

   • roll my eyes at something

   I roll my eyes whenever people say they never use their phones.

   Readers rolled their eyes at the politician's latest excuse.

   You may roll your eyes, but the plan really works.

Word forms

Common combinations

roll my eyes at

I roll my eyes at his constant bragging.

visibly roll your eyes

Don't visibly roll your eyes in the meeting.

roll your eyes in disbelief

The teenagers rolled their eyes in disbelief.

can't help rolling my eyes

I can't help rolling my eyes at that sort of advice.

Synonyms and how they differ

scoff

Scoff means to mock out loud, while rolling your eyes is a silent gesture.

sneer

Sneer is harsher and shows open contempt, whereas rolling the eyes can be only mild annoyance.

tut

Tut is a small disapproving sound, so it is audible where eye rolling is visual.

Opposites

Word family

eye roll noun

the gesture itself

eye-rolling adjective

causing or showing irritation

roll verb

to turn over and over

Commonly confused: roll my eyes or roll in the eyes?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “roll my eyes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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