📖 Meaning
Literally meaning 'to raise the eyebrows and blink the eyes.' It can describe a fierce, glaring expression like '横眉怒目,' or refer to an extremely brief moment—as short as the time it takes to lift one's brow and blink. It can also denote devoted, rapt attention or a look of smug self-satisfaction.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom does not trace back to a single specific classical source or story. It is a descriptive compound formed from two quick facial movements—raising the brows and blinking—used in literary Chinese to vividly depict fleeting expressions or momentary states. Its multiple senses arose through metaphorical extension across different literary contexts over time.
💡 Example Usage
他一听到好消息，便扬眉瞬目，喜形于色。
Upon hearing the good news, he raised his brows and blinked with delight, unable to hide his joy.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 扬眉瞬目
- Pinyin: yáng méi shùn mù
- Literal Translation: raise, eyebrow, blink, eye
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4