make a face (at someone)
To make a distorted, silly, or humorous facial expression (at someone), usually for one's own or someone else's amusement, or as a show of disgust. Young lady, don't you make a face at me! You will eat your broccoli or you won't have any dessert. The teacher scolded Jimmy for making faces at her from the back of class. When I told him my mother was coming over for dinner, John just made a face and went down to the basement.
make faces (at someone)
To make distorted, silly, or humorous facial expressions (at someone), usually for one's own or someone else's amusement, or as a show of disgust. Jimmy, quit making faces at Sarah this instant and pay attention! Mom, tell Billy to quit making faces, he's really annoying me!
pull a face (at someone)
To make a grimacing or humorously distorted facial expression (at someone). Young lady, don't you pull a face at me! You will eat your broccoli or you won't have any dessert. The teacher scolded Jimmy for pulling faces at her from the back of class. When I told him my mother was coming over for dinner, John just pulled a face and went down to the basement.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
make a face
(at someone) and make faces (at someone) 1. to show a funny or distorted expression to someone in ridicule. Mother, Billy made a face at me! The teacher sent Jane to the principal for making a face in class.
2. to attempt to communicate to someone through facial gestures, usually an attempt to say "no" or "stop." I started to tell John where I was last night, but Bill made a face so I didn't. John made a face at me as I was testifying, so I avoided telling everything.
make faces
(at someone) Go to make a face (at someone).
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
make a face
Grimace, distort the facial features, as in The teacher told Joan to stop making faces at Mary. This expression was first recorded in 1570.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
make a face
or pull a face
BRITISHCOMMON If you make a face or pull a face, you show a feeling such as dislike by twisting your face into an ugly expression. She made a face at the smell, and hurried to open the windows. He was taught from an early age to address people as `Mister' and not to poke his tongue out or pull faces. Note: If someone makes or pulls a particular kind of face, they show that feeling in their expression. `Here I am,' Chee said. `What can I do?' Janet made a wry face. He pulled funny faces at her and cracked a few jokes.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
make (or pull) a face (or faces)
produce an expression on your face that shows dislike, disgust, or some other negative emotion, or that is intended to be amusing.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
pull/make ˈfaces/a ˈface (at somebody/something)
produce an expression on your face to show that you do not like somebody/something or in order to make somebody laugh: What are you pulling a face at now? ♢ The little girl stood outside the window of the cafe making faces at everybody. ▶ ˈface-pulling noun: He amazed the audience with his silent mime and face-pulling performance.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
make a face
To distort the features of the face; grimace.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.