stink eye

American  

[stingk ahy] / ˈstɪŋk ˌaɪ /

stinkeye,

noun

Informal.

1. a disapproving, contemptuous, or critical glance (often used withthe ).

   Even today, I get the stink eye from Gran if I leave food on my plate.

   They let their dogs jump in the river right where I'm fishing, and then give me the stink eye when I complain.

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Etymology

Origin of stink eye

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stink eye

“I see colleagues getting the stink eye for having to take a day off because of their child,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2024

Lottie is definitely up to something, feeding Nat lies and then giving her a comic book villain's stink eye as she walks away.

From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2023

According to the paper’s analysis of a video of the incident, another woman turned away and then pointedly “gave the Duchess of Sussex the stink eye, before laughing” in her general direction.

From New York Times ● Sep. 17, 2022

But to some extent, the former’s strong growth is attributable to the latter’s stink eye for politically incorrect fundraisers.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 20, 2021

Open an umbrella near them and they would gallop halfway across a meadow and stand there giving the umbrella the stink eye.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz