dirty look

USAGE SUMMARY

"dirty look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a facial expression that shows disapproval, anger, or disgust. You can use it when describing someone's behavior or when retelling a situation. Here is an example: "She shot me a dirty look when I accidentally spilled coffee on her shirt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The bartender shot him a dirty look.

The New Yorker

The manager shot me a dirty look.

The New Yorker

I gave him a dirty look.

The New York Times

and "I gave him a dirty look".

The New Yorker

That was a pretty good dirty look.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thankfully, the guard just gave me a dirty look.

The New York Times

I haven't gotten one dirty look at Café Gratitude".

The New York Times

Yes, you, the gentleman who gave me a dirty look.

The New Yorker

He gave me a dirty look and scowled.

The New York Times - Sports

He gave me kind of a dirty look.

The New York Times - Tech

"He gave my shirt a dirty look," he whispered.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to describe a character's reaction when dialogue would be too aggressive or inappropriate for the setting.

Common error

Do not confuse the idiomatic "dirty look" (disapproval) with a literal description of something looking physically unclean. While a 'dirty appearance' refers to hygiene, a "dirty look" is strictly about a facial expression of displeasure.

Linguistic Context

In grammatical terms, "dirty look" functions as a noun phrase often acting as the direct object of a verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently paired with verbs of movement or transmission, illustrating how a facial expression is 'delivered' to another person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Fiction & Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academic Institutions

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dirty look" is a robust and essential part of the English lexicon for describing social friction. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency across top-tier journalism, where it serves as a concise way to depict disapproval. Whether someone is 'shooting' a "dirty look" at a bartender or 'casting' one at a noisy neighbor, the phrase effectively bridges the gap between literal description and idiomatic flair. While alternatives like "stink eye" offer a more casual tone, "dirty look" remains the standard choice for most narrative and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stink eye

More colloquial and informal, often used in American English.

glare

Focuses on the intensity and duration of the stare.

scowl

Emphasizes the facial contortion, specifically of the brows.

death stare

Hyperbolic alternative suggesting extreme anger or threat.

icy stare

Implies a cold, emotionless form of disapproval or hostility.

disdainful look

Shifts the focus to a feeling of superiority or contempt.

dagger look

Idiomatic way to describe a look intended to 'pierce' or hurt.

malevolent glance

Suggests a more sinister or evil intention behind the look.

grimace

Often implies pain or disgust rather than just social disapproval.

evil eye

Can imply a supernatural curse or purely malicious intent.

FAQs

What is a common synonym for "dirty look"?

You can use synonyms like "stink eye" for informal contexts or "glare" if the expression is particularly intense.

How do you use "dirty look" in a sentence?

A common way is to say someone 'shot' or 'gave' a "dirty look", such as: 'The manager shot me a "dirty look" when I arrived late.' For a more focused expression, you might use "scowl".

What is the difference between a "dirty look" and a glare?

While a "dirty look" is a general expression of dislike, a "glare" is typically longer and more aggressive in nature.

Is "dirty look" appropriate for professional writing?

It is neutral enough for journalism but may be too informal for legal reports. In those cases, consider using "disapproving expression" or "stern glance".