cause (some) eyebrows to raise

cause (some) eyebrows to raise

To elicit shock, surprise, or offense, typically through unconventional actions or words. The phrase typically suggests negative attention or judgment. Her irreverent chatter during the ceremony caused some eyebrows to raise. My best friend's pink hair definitely caused eyebrows to raise at our very strict school.

See also: cause, eyebrow, raise, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cause (some) eyebrows to raise and cause some raised eyebrows

Fig. to shock people; to surprise and dismay people. (The same as raise some eyebrows.) John caused eyebrows to raise when he married a woman half his age. If you want to cause some eyebrows to raise, just start singing as you walk down the street.

See also: and, cause, eyebrow, raise, raised, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.