Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
not bat an eyelash

not bat an eyelash

Date: Mar 24 2011

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“When one of us comes up with an absolutely horrible idea, the other person, without batting an eyelash, says, ‘That’s a terrible idea.’”

- Actor Matt Damon talking about his friendship with Ben Affleck. (Us Weekly)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

not react; not show any emotion or reaction

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

A good friend tells you when you’re doing a great job. But a really good friend tells you when you’re not doing so great.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are really good friends. Not only did they grow up together, but they’ve also worked on movies together. In fact, their first big movie, Good Will Hunting, was a project they both shared.

Matt says that he and Ben are so close, one can tell the other when he has a bad idea without batting an eyelash. He doesn’t need to show lots of emotion or sugarcoat the truth. He doesn’t have to feel nervous about being honest, because he knows that his friend will be able to hear the bad news without batting an eyelash, too.

To bat an eyelash is another way of saying to blink. Blinking is considered a sign of nervousness, fear, or emotion. If you accept criticism or do something difficult without blinking, or without batting an eyelash, you show that you have no fear or emotion. You’re tough. You can handle it.

Have you ever said or done something difficult without batting an eyelash? Do you think best friends should always tell each other the truth without batting an eyelash?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“When Jake said he wanted to break up, Sarah didn’t bat an eyelash. She didn’t want him to know how hurt she was.”

“Greg quit his job without batting an eyelash.”

“I can’t believe you just asked your parents for $100 and didn’t even bat an eyelash.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

Dess Don't show any reaction
by Dess
dique say something without any hesitation or reluctance, not being afraid to be too direct
by dique
Manu4 without hesitations
by Manu4
sofree without hesitation, immediately
by sofree
wickywang right off the bat,straight away
by wickywang

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Comments

Log in to Comment

fercho_charming

Colombia

In fact, the expression is “Not bat an eyelid” and not “eyelash”.


 


I think you should correct it. ;)

04:09 AM Jun 19 2011 |

Zambuka

Zambuka

United States

without batting an eye can tell that my english level is reducing))

03:24 PM Mar 30 2011 |

mk-snobar

mk-snobar

Syrian Arab Republic

Yes…evey now and then,i do not turn a hair when a chum of mine tell me a bad idea,or if he is doing somthing wrong.

SO,"not turn a hair" & "without batting an eyelash" have the same meaning,pals.

09:59 PM Mar 24 2011 |

asma85

asma85

Algeria

say anything with brave and without fear 

09:43 PM Mar 24 2011 |

hello_funboy

United Arab Emirates

be clear

09:18 PM Mar 24 2011 |

zhugo

zhugo

Indonesia

directly to the point

08:21 PM Mar 24 2011 |

shivan86

shivan86

Iraq

Without any hesitation…react

06:42 PM Mar 24 2011 |

departure

United Arab Emirates

Yes..Sometimes the truth, and that was tough, tell us a lot..

12:23 PM Mar 24 2011 |

Eve-k

Eve-k

Yemen

I think sometime we need that…i know it's hurts but it's good for to doing a great things.

09:24 AM Mar 24 2011 |

Victoria G

Victoria GSuper Member!

United States

I'm not sure best friends should always tell each other the truth without batting an eyelash… The truth hurts sometimes. I believe, best friend is the very person who cares about you and knows your reaction beforehand.

Friendship is not about testing how tough your friend is, it's about how to help him/her stay peaceful.

07:32 AM Mar 24 2011 |

Nixsama

Nixsama

Colombia

Honesty is the key

06:16 AM Mar 24 2011 |

dkattleya

dkattleya

Indonesia

show emotions

05:29 AM Mar 24 2011 |

sofree

sofree

China

Definitely. This is exactly how I define friendship, maybe also the reason why I don't have many friends, lol~

04:10 AM Mar 24 2011 |

layalimag

Morocco

say truth as it s without taking in consideration if it will hurt the other part or no

01:24 AM Mar 24 2011 |

tonydang3120

Viet Nam

it's hard to say the truth to my really good friend, but i'll try to do without batting an eyelash !

01:15 AM Mar 24 2011 |

layalimag

Morocco

saying truth even it hurts somtimes

01:01 AM Mar 24 2011 |

Likes (25):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast