Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[RedRose]

Dear teachers:

I just watched some website where was some news about an excellent woman Ellen DeGeneres and her ex-girlfriend Anne Heche , here is the news:

Ellen DeGeneres and ex-girlfriend Anne Heche had an awkward encounter when they found themselves face-to-face for the first time in five years.

The former lovers, who raised eyebrows with their high-profile lesbian relationship which lasted from 1997 until 2000, haven't spoken since their turbulent break-up.

.......

My question is: what dose raise eyebrows mean here? something like "don't care about"?

[Nef]

[RedRose]

Thanks Nef, I very appreciate your explanation.

[CP]

Yes, "to raise eyebrows" does mean "to surprise," but it has another, related meaning. The people who raise their eyebrows may also disapprove of whatever they are reacting to by raising their eyebrows. Here, the implication is that people were surprised and disapproving of these two celebrities, who were in a Lesbian relationship.

It's a matter of opinion whether very many people were surprised, or disapproved, or cared at all, but the writer is hinting that there was at least some disapproval.