baring teeth
Aggressive dental display
Baring teeth is exposing the teeth, typically as a display of aggression or warning.
Animals bare their teeth to threaten; humans do the same when angry or confrontational.
The phrase can also describe an intense, unfriendly smile: His grin was more like baring teeth.
Figuratively, it means showing hostility or readiness to fight: The company is baring teeth over the contract dispute.
- snarlHostile vocal threat
- growlLow threatening sound
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
- fangsSharp piercing teeth
- menaceSource of potential harm
curled lip · threat · show of force · aggression · snapping · bite · feral · wild animal · wolf · dog · canine · hostile · warning · back off · lips · gums · predator · fierce
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- menacingthreatening, intimidating, menacing, ominous, sinister
- pet behaviortail wagging, purring, kneading, growling, hissing
- dominance displaysdisplay, alpha behavior, power stance, chest puffing, raised hackles
- defenseswall, walls, fence, gate, barrier
baring teethgentle smile
baring teethaverting gaze
Redirecting one's look
closed mouth · pursed lips · lips sealed · looking away · lowering eyes
baring teethgentle smile
bare, baring, bared, bares, bareness, barely, teeth, toothed, toothy