without batting an eye

1. Showing no emotion, acting as though nothing were unusual. For example, Richard ate the snails without batting an eye. A related phrase is not bat an eye, as in He didn't bat an eye when she told him he was being laid off. These expressions, which use bat in the sense of “blink,” date from about 1900.

Example Sentences

“Genocide talk has spread into all TV studios as legitimate talk. Former colonels, past members of the defense establishment, sit on panels and call for genocide without batting an eye.”

From Salon

Few questions fazed the 4’7” woman who Time magazine called the “Munchkin of sex,” who pelted America’s airwaves with anatomically correct dialogue without batting an eye.

From Los Angeles Times

“They could pay for the entire trip for the whole team without batting an eye!”

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s the first guy at the gym. He and Freddy, every morning. They learned a lot from the day of work. Not just the shooting, the entire day of work of shooting, eating, take care, lifting, stretching, hot tub, cold, tub, all that stuff. And Kawhi did all that stuff without batting an eye.”

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve heard of “B Movies,” but this series drops to an “F” without batting an eye.

From Los Angeles Times