ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turn a hair

idiom
Meaning

To show fear, alarm or distress; to be affected (by an experience or situation).


Examples
SIMPLE

She did not turn a hair when the loud alarm rang.

CONTEXTUAL

Even when the project deadline moved up by two weeks, he did not turn a hair and finished on time.

COMPLEX

Despite the sudden collapse of the financial markets, the seasoned investor did not turn a hair, remaining calm while others panicked.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bad hair day

    A day when things seem to be unmanageable or go wrong.

  2. 02

    barnet

    [Cockney slang]hair

  3. 03

    Buggins's turn

    A humorous, disparaging term for the appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.

  4. 04

    curl someone's hair

    To frighten, dismay, or excite someone thoroughly.

  5. 05

    everything one touches turns to gold

    Everything someone uses or does succeeds or becomes better.

  6. 06

    everything one touches turns to shit

    Everything someone uses or does fails or becomes worse.

  7. 07

    get grey hair from

    To acquire great frustration, confusion, or anxiousness from (something or someone).

  8. 08

    get out of someone's hair

    To manipulate somebody into quit pestering somebody else.

Last updated April 17, 2026