ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bat an eyelid

idiom
Meaning

To react in any slight way; to respond; to care.


Origin

first recorded 19th c.

From bat (“flutter”), circa 1900.

Examples
SIMPLE

She did not even bat an eyelid when I told her the news.

CONTEXTUAL

The experienced negotiator did not bat an eyelid when the other side threatened to walk away from the deal.

COMPLEX

Despite the chaotic scene unfolding before him, the seasoned detective did not bat an eyelid, remaining focused entirely on the evidence at hand.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    bat a thousand

    To achieve success at each attempt.

  2. 02

    bat five hundred

    To be successful half of the time; to have a success rate of 50%.

  3. 03

    bat for the other team

    To be homosexual.

  4. 04

    bat one's eyes

    To signal or feign by fluttering one's eyelids, as romantic interest.

  5. 05

    bat the breeze

    To chat; to shoot the breeze.

  6. 06

    go to bat

    To champion, to actively assist, to provide support (for someone).

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