sideways glance
Subtle peripheral peek
A sideways glance is a look directed to the side rather than straight ahead, typically brief and subtle.
It often suggests suspicion, disapproval, or private amusement shared with another person: She shot him a sideways glance when he mentioned his ex.
The phrase implies looking without wanting to be caught looking.
- peekFurtive brief look
- lookDirect one's gaze
- quick lookBrief visual inspection
- askanceWith doubt or disapproval
- dirty lookHostile facial expression
furtive · sly · suspicious · coy · flirtatious · knowing · knowing look · subtle · quick · stolen · darting · shifty eyes · eye · wary · distrust · curiosity · jealousy · disapproval
- eye movementsgaze, blink, stare, squint, wink
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
- subtexthidden meaning, implied meaning, veiled meaning, subtext, innuendo
- passive watchingwatching, viewing, observing, spectating, lurking
duration and intensity of looking
sideways glancefixed stare
hard stare · steady gaze · fixed gaze · lingering look · intense stare
side, sides, sided, siding, sideway, sideward, sidewards, sidelong, ways