World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesLook daggers
/lʊk ˈdæɡ.ərz/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To look at someone with fierce, intense anger, hatred, or resentment, typically without speaking.
"She sat across the room, looking daggers at him for arriving late." - 2
To cast a glaring, hostile gaze that unmistakably communicates disapproval or malice.
"Whenever the rival managers passed each other, they would just look daggers."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The phrase originates from the late 16th century, drawing a vivid metaphorical comparison between angry, piercing glances and actual physical daggers or sharp weapons. It plays on the long-standing idiom that the eyes can express violent hostility and emotional pain as acutely as a sharp blade. Over time, it cemented itself in English literature and common usage to denote intense, silent anger conveyed entirely through facial expression.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Look daggers"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Look daggers" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
foudroyer du regard
Transliteration: food-rwa-ye du ruh-gar
"Elle l'a foudroyé du regard pendant toute la réunion."
böse anblicken
Transliteration: bøːzə ˈanˌblɪkn̩
"Sie hat ihn während des gesamten Meetings böse angeblickt."
guardare in cagnesco
Transliteration: ɡwar-da-re in kan-yes-ko
"Lo guardava in cagnesco per il suo comportamento."
mirar con malos ojos
Transliteration: mi-ˈɾaɾ kom ˈma-los ˈo-xos
"Ella le miraba con malos ojos desde el otro lado de la mesa."
fuzilar com os olhos
Transliteration: fu-zi-ˈlaɾ kowz ˈo-ʎus
"Ela o fuzilou com os olhos durante toda a discussão."
घूरना
Transliteration: ghoornā
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"वह उसे गुस्से से घूर रही थी।"
怒视
Transliteration: nù shì
Script: 中文汉字
"她愤怒地瞪着他。"
노려보다
Transliteration: noryeoboda
Script: 한국어 한글
"그녀는 그를 매섭게 노려보았다."
睨みつける
Transliteration: niramitsukeru
Script: 日本語
"彼女は彼を険しい目で睨みつけた。"
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