The idiomatic expression “not bat an eye” means to not show any visible reaction or emotion in response to something surprising, shocking, or difficult. It suggests a calm and unflappable demeanor, indicating that the person remains composed and unaffected by the situation. This phrase often implies that the person is either so used to such circumstances that they are not surprised, or that they are deliberately keeping their emotions under control. It is commonly used when someone handles something stressful or unexpected with ease and without showing any outward signs of concern or surprise.
Example Sentences
- When the company announced a sudden reorganization, she didn’t bat an eye, continuing with her work as usual.
- Despite the chaos around him, he didn’t bat an eye, calmly navigating through the crowd.
- She didn’t bat an eye when she heard the news of her promotion, knowing she had earned it.
- The comedian told a controversial joke, but the audience didn’t bat an eye, taking it all in stride.
- He was offered a significant pay cut, but he didn’t bat an eye, choosing to stay in the job because he loved it.
- When asked about his past mistakes, the politician didn’t bat an eye, responding confidently to the question.
- The soldiers didn’t bat an eye when they were given orders to deploy to a dangerous zone, knowing their duty.
- She didn’t bat an eye when the power went out during the presentation, calmly switching to backup plans.
- When the storm hit, he didn’t bat an eye, calmly assessing the situation and taking necessary precautions.
- He received an unexpected compliment but didn’t bat an eye, simply nodding in acknowledgment.
Synonyms
- Remain unphased
- Stay calm
- Not flinch
- Not react
- Remain unfazed
- Stay unruffled
- Keep one’s cool
- Be unshaken
- Stay composed
- Take it in stride
Antonyms
- React
- Flinch
- Show emotion
- Be shocked
- Get upset
- Panic
- Get rattled
- Lose composure
- Show surprise
- Freak out
Related Words
- Composure
- Calmness
- Equanimity
- Self-control
- Resilience
- Unflappability
- Nonchalance
- Poise
- Detachment
- Emotional control
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Keep a straight face: To maintain composure and not laugh or show emotion, similar to not battling an eye.
- Keep your cool: To remain calm and composed in stressful or unexpected situations, akin to not bat an eye.
- Take it in stride: To handle a difficult or unexpected situation without showing distress, similar to not bat an eye.
- Roll with the punches: To adapt to difficult situations without showing signs of stress or discomfort, akin to not bat an eye.
- Stay on top of: To manage or handle a situation without becoming overwhelmed, reflecting the calmness of not batting an eye.
Idiomatic Expressions
- Keep a stiff upper lip: To maintain a calm and unemotional demeanor, particularly in the face of difficulty, similar to not bat an eye.
- Take it like a champ: To endure something difficult or painful without showing distress, like not batting an eye.
- Don’t blink an eye: Similar to not bat an eye, meaning not showing any surprise or emotional reaction.
- Play it cool: To remain calm and composed, not reacting strongly to a situation, similar to not bat an eye.
- Cool as a cucumber: To remain calm and composed, especially in stressful or surprising situations, much like not batting an eye.
The idiomatic expression “not bat an eye” describes the ability to remain calm, composed, and unreactive in situations that might cause others to be shocked, surprised, or upset. It is synonymous with phrases like “stay calm,” “remain unfazed,” and “keep one’s cool,” which all highlight a level of emotional control and resilience. In contrast, the antonyms such as “react,” “flinch,” or “freak out” describe responses that involve emotional disturbance or surprise. Related expressions like “keep a straight face” or “stay unruffled” also emphasize the same quality of remaining unaffected by external stressors or unexpected events. The expression is used to convey an individual’s ability to manage external challenges with poise, without showing signs of distress or surprise, making it a powerful reflection of composure and self-control.