What Does "Batting an Eye" Mean?

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: May 20, 2022 References

Someone's just said "without batting an eye," but you're not sure what they meant. It is an odd expression and it can mean a few different things, but don't worry. We'll go over everything you need to know about this unique phrase, so you can figure out exactly what it means in your situation.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “batting an eye” mean?

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"Without batting an eye" refers to someone who's not bothered by a certain situation. You might have heard it to describe someone who's not shocked or upset. Usually, it means the person doesn't react emotionally to a specific event or situation.^{[1]
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- For example, you could say, "He didn't bat an eye when I asked him to take me to the emergency room," or, "He left the office without batting an eye after he'd been fired."
- "Not bat an eyelid," "Not bat an eyelash," and "Not blink an eye," are also ways to say this phrase.
2
"Bat your eyes" or "bat your eyelashes" highlight flirty behavior. If someone opens and closes their eyes several times very quickly, they're trying to look attractive.^{[2]
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Research source} You might see this behavior with someone who's flirting, or you may come across this behavior when you're reading.
- For instance, you could say, "She batted her eyes at him until he walked across the room to her," or, "He blushed and batted his eyes when she complimented him."
- You may also see this phrase used as "bat your eyes," or "bat her/his/their eyes."

Section 2 of 3:

How do I use "batting an eye" in conversation?

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Use "without batting an eye" to describe when someone reacts without emotion. People use this phrase in situations where someone would usually be surprised, shocked, or upset. For instance, if a woman learns of her husband's affair and reacts calmly, you could say she told you about it "without batting an eye." Here are a few other examples:^{[3]
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- "The soldier sacrificed himself without batting an eye."
- "The suspect didn't bat an eye when he was arrested."
- "When I told her I wanted to break up, she didn't bat an eye. She just walked away."
2
Use "batting your eyes" to describe someone who's being flirtatious. Maybe you're at a party and someone's trying to chat you up. You could tell a friend that the person was "batting her eyes" at you to try to get your attention.^{[4]
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- "She kept batting her eyes at me, so I plan on asking her out."

Section 3 of 3:

Where did "batting an eye" come from?

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The earliest origins might be from a 17th-century book on falconry. In 1614, Simon Latham wrote a book about hunting with trained birds of prey.^{[5]
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Research source} He described how birds beat or flutter their wings when they hunt. He called this batting, which means fluttering.^{[6]
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Research source} At its simplest, batting means blinking, as in "without blinking an eye."
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The phrase changed to become a flirty American phrase in the 1880s. For much of England in the 19th-century, bat meant to blink or wink. Then, toward the end of the century, Americans started using "batting an eye" to mean flirty behavior.^{[7]
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