Definition
挤眉弄眼 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that describes making exaggerated facial movements — raising eyebrows and winking — to silently communicate something, often flirtatious, mischievous, or conspiratorial. It's not just a simple wink; it implies a deliberate, sometimes playful, signal to another person.
f.e.
to make eyes at someoneto wink and twitch one's eyebrows (often flirtatiously or conspiratorially)
Examples
- 挤眉弄眼,。Tā zài zhuōzi duìmiàn bùtíng de jǐ méi nòng yǎn, xiǎng ràng wǒ zhùyì tā de bēizi.She kept ∼ across the table, trying to get me to notice her glass.
- 挤眉弄眼,。Liǎng ge xiǎohái hùxiāng jǐ méi nòng yǎn, tōutōu liū chū le jiàoshì.The two kids ∼ at each other and sneaked out of the classroom.
- 挤眉弄眼,。Bié jǐ méi nòng yǎn le, yǒu shénme huà zhíjiē shuō ba.Stop ∼, just say whatever you have to say directly.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.