side-eye

or side eye

[ sahyd-ahy ]

noun

1. a sidelong look used to express contempt, criticism, suspicion, curiosity, or doubt:

   Family holidays—the perfect time to face intrusive questions and the side-eye your great-aunt gives you at the dinner table.

   I don't want to eat at a restaurant where we'll be getting the side-eye all night for having a baby in tow.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to express contempt, criticism, suspicion, curiosity, or doubt with or as if with a sidelong look:

   Two things make me side-eye this story: the improbable plot and the unbelievable ending.

   Don't side-eye just yet, let me explain.

Word History and Origins

Origin of side-eye¹

First recorded in 1825–30

Example Sentences

From the moment the word was out that Fluke was considering a run for office, she was the subject of right-wing side-eye.

From The Daily Beast

The candidate gives them serious side-eye, and begins pacing nervously around the room.

From The Daily Beast

“A show like this can make people embrace you more or give you the side eye,” Chilli says.

From The Daily Beast

Not a boy in the school missed seeing how Boddy's flat head perpetually had a side-eye on him.

From Project Gutenberg

My grandfather turned a round side-eye on me, hard as a cock's.

From Project Gutenberg

Ned winked his near side eye and thought they had better let the matter slide.

From Project Gutenberg