look askance

Idioms and Phrases

View with mistrust, as in They looked askance at him when he said he'd just made a million in the stock market . The precise feeling conveyed by this expression has varied since it was first used in the 1500s, from envy to contempt to suspicion, although the literal meaning was “look obliquely, with a side glance.” The present sense dates from about 1800. Also see look sideways .

Example Sentences

Her gay fans will look askance and move on around Streisand.

From The Daily Beast

Americans would look askance if Afghans mimicked their own banana-republic justice.

From The Daily Beast

Nobis and Franti alone look askance at him, and Votini darts envy from his eyes; but he does not even perceive it.

From Project Gutenberg

We look askance at our friends, and make the task of comfort doubly hard for those that remain true.

From Project Gutenberg

“Business” received at times a look askance: spiritual edification excited desire, and stimulated expression.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course Enistor did not wish to injure his daughter in any way at which the world would look askance.

From Project Gutenberg

They did not look askance at such a controversial subject, having published the Fowler family's phrenological books.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accuse
• criticize
• denounce
• disagree
• fret
• gripe
• grumble
• lament
• moan
• object
• oppose
• protest