it raises eyebrows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it raises eyebrows" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is surprising, suspicious, or causes concern among people. Example: "The company's sudden change in policy raises eyebrows among employees who are unsure of the implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It certainly smacks of the need for transparency because on its face, it raises eyebrows," Little said.

Los Angeles Times

"Unfortunately, when you get down, 1-0, in a series, it raises eyebrows.

The New York Times - Sports

So when a footballer speaks honestly and free of cliché, it raises eyebrows.

The Guardian - Sport

"When the S.E.C. upticks to formal from informal it raises eyebrows about the possibility of reckless behavior".

The New York Times

"When people find out who my father is, it raises eyebrows certainly, but also expectations," says musician Adam Cohen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But I know it raises eyebrows for a lot of other people". McLaren are investing a lot of time, effort and money in esports.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It raised eyebrows, too.

The New York Times

The timing of it raised eyebrows.

The New York Times - Sports

When Cutler was sidelined by a hit that nobody could immediately pinpoint, it raised eyebrows.

The New York Times - Sports

"It raised eyebrows, but it did humanize them and helped people relate to them.

The New York Times

"It raised eyebrows," Mr. Heggie noted, but "people who knew us understood completely".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it raises eyebrows" when you want to express that something is causing surprise, doubt, or concern without being overly critical. It's a subtle way to signal that something might not be quite right.

Common error

While "it raises eyebrows" is useful, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it causes concern" or "it invites scrutiny".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it raises eyebrows" functions as an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to indicate that something is surprising, suspicious, or causes concern. The phrase acts as a comment on a situation or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science & Research

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "it raises eyebrows" is a common and versatile idiom used to express mild surprise, doubt, or concern. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions as a commentary on a situation or action, inviting scrutiny without being overly critical. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, sports reporting, and lifestyle articles, with a neutral tone that fits various situations. While effective, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider stronger synonyms if a more emphatic statement is required. Remember, the phrase can be replaced by expressions like "it causes concern" or "it sparks suspicion" to introduce subtle variations in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it causes concern

Emphasizes the worrying aspect of the situation, focusing on potential negative consequences.

it sparks suspicion

Highlights the element of doubt and mistrust associated with the situation.

it is questionable

Directly expresses doubt about the validity or appropriateness of something.

it invites scrutiny

Suggests that something is likely to be closely examined, often due to potential problems.

it gives pause

Implies that something makes people stop and think carefully before proceeding.

it is surprising

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the situation.

it seems fishy

Informal way to say something seems suspicious or dishonest.

it seems dubious

Suggests something is not entirely trustworthy or reliable.

it elicits disbelief

Emphasizes that something is hard to believe.

it generates skepticism

Indicates that something leads to doubt and questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "it raises eyebrows" in a sentence?

Use "it raises eyebrows" to suggest something is surprising, questionable, or causes concern. For example: "The company's sudden change in policy "it raises eyebrows" among employees."

What are some alternatives to "it raises eyebrows"?

You can use alternatives like "it causes concern", "it sparks suspicion", or "it is questionable" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it raises eyebrows" formal or informal?

"It raises eyebrows" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain situations.

What does it mean when something "raises eyebrows"?

When something "raises eyebrows", it means it causes surprise, doubt, or disapproval. It suggests that people find something unusual or potentially problematic.