stink eye

[ stingk ahy ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a disapproving, contemptuous, or critical glance (often used with the ):

   Even today, I get the stink eye from Gran if I leave food on my plate.

   They let their dogs jump in the river right where I'm fishing, and then give me the stink eye when I complain.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stink eye¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Having caught wind of this, resulting coverage of the hospitalizations by several outlets, and comments made by many on social media, turned a stink eye to Trump for putting his followers at risk.

From Salon

“I see colleagues getting the stink eye for having to take a day off because of their child,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

His boss Grow “always gives you kind of the stink eye when you wear Patagonia,” Dumas says.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs. Zamick is still giving me the stink eye every morning in homeroom.

From Literature

Lottie is definitely up to something, feeding Nat lies and then giving her a comic book villain's stink eye as she walks away.

From Salon