Bat an eye

Meaning

"Bat an eye" is an idiomatic expression used to convey surprise or shock, usually when someone does something unexpectedly or makes a revelation that catches people off guard. The phrase is often used as an exclamation of astonishment and can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

Usage

• "I can't believe you didn't tell me earlier! I was completely caught off guard."
• "Wow, I never thought she would cheat on me! I bat an eye at that one."
• "I never thought he had the guts to quit his job, but here we are!"
• "I can't believe how much money they made from the investment! It's incredible."
• "I always knew she was hiding something from us, but I didn't expect it to be this big of a secret."

Roots and History

The origin of "bat an eye" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States during the early 20th century. One theory suggests that the phrase comes from the act of opening one's eyes wide in surprise or shock, similar to how a bat opens its wings when taking flight. Another theory suggests that the phrase may have been used as a way to signal to others in the theater during silent films to prepare for an unexpected plot twist.

Synonyms in English

• "Gosh!"
• "Wow, I never expected that!"
• "Oh my gosh, that's amazing!"
• "I can't believe it, I'm shocked!"
• "I didn't see that coming, I'm amazed!"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Quoi!?" - used to express surprise or shock
• Spanish: "¡Qué pasa?!" - used as an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
• Italian: "Aha! Non mi aspettavo così bene." - used to express surprise or pleasure
• German: "Wow, das ist verwunderlich." - used to express surprise or amazement
• Portuguese: "Que horrível! Quem fiz isso?" - used to express shock or disbelief

Similar Idioms

• blaze a trail

• by the skin of your teeth

• beyond a shadow of doubt