look daggers
verbUK /ˌlʊk ˈdæɡəz/ · US /ˌlʊk ˈdæɡɚz/
Etymology An allusion to a look being so fierce as to be able to injure the person looked at like a dagger.
1
Often followed by at: to stare in a disapproving, severe, or threatening manner, especially without speaking.
- Before him set the grim baron, with a face worthy of the father of such a daughter, and looking daggers and rat's bane.1835, [Washington Irving], “Abbotsford”, in Abbotsford and Newstead Abbey (The Crayon Miscellany; no. 2), Philadelphia, Pa.: [Henry Charles] Carey, [Isaac] Lea, & Blanchard, →OCLC, pages 40–41:
- Both employers looked daggers at Kit, for the insult rankled; […]1912 October, Jack London, “The Meat”, in Smoke Bellew, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co, →OCLC, page 43:
1 more example
- Even before a waitress came up, two hostesses approached and looked daggers at Suzy and Teresa, both of whom glared back.1986, Stephen Coonts, chapter 9, in Flight of the Intruder, Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, →ISBN, page 116:
- Related terms
- dirty look, evil eye, if looks could kill