Bat an eyelid Meaning in English
expression
ˈbæt/ /ˈæn/, /ən/ /ˈaɪˌɫɪd
BAT an EYE-lid
bˈæt/ /ˈɐn/ /ˈaɪlɪd
BAT un EYE-lid
Definition
To not show any surprise or emotion, especially in a situation where a reaction is expected.
Usage & Nuances
Usually appears in the negative: 'didn't bat an eyelid.' Formal or informal. It's an idiom about being unaffected or calm in surprising situations. Variants: 'didn't even bat an eyelash.' Not literal—rarely used in the positive form.
Spanish: inmutarse - sorprendersePortuguese (BR): demonstrar surpresa - reagirPortuguese (PT): demonstrar surpresa - reagirChinese (Simplified): 眨一下眼睛（表示吃惊或反应）Chinese (Traditional): 眨一下眼睛（表示喫驚或反應）Hindi: पलक झपकाना (संकेत कि कोई प्रभावित नहीं हुआ)Arabic: يرف عينه (عدم إظهار الدهشة أو التأثر)Bengali: চোখের পাতা কাঁপানো - একটুও চমকানো নাRussian: и глазом не моргнутьJapanese: まばたきもしないVietnamese: chớp mắt - không chớp mắt (ẩn dụ: không ngạc nhiên, không xúc động)Korean: 눈 하나 깜빡이지 않다Turkish: gözü bile kırpmamakUrdu: پلک تک نہ جھپکناIndonesian: tidak berkedip - tidak bereaksi sama sekali
Example Sentences
When I told her the news, she didn't bat an eyelid.
basic
He lost his job and didn't bat an eyelid.
basic
They didn't bat an eyelid when the alarm went off.
basic
She heard about the accident but didn't even bat an eyelid.
natural
You could tell him anything shocking—he wouldn't bat an eyelid.
natural
The judge announced the verdict, and the defendant didn't bat an eyelid.
natural