twirl one's moustache
Melodrama villain pose
To twirl one's moustache is to act like a melodrama villain—someone whose evil is so obvious and theatrical it borders on cartoonish.
The image comes from stock villains who literally twisted their facial hair while scheming: The CEO practically twirled his moustache as he explained the layoffs.
The phrase signals villainy that's either comically exaggerated or so brazen it seems self-aware.
Crafty and calculating
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
villainous · dastardly · melodrama · evil · menacing · wicked · diabolical · fiendish
Grooming with vanity
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
conceit · dandyism · grooming · primping · peacocking · swagger · pompous · foppish
To grow vigorously
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- affectationArtificial behavior for effect
mannerism · fidgeting · nervous habit · expressive · exaggerated · ostentatious · flamboyant · melodramatic
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
nefarious · villainous · dastardly · melodrama · evil · menacing · wicked · diabolical · fiendish · ominous
preening
Grooming with vanity
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- vainExcessively proud or futile
narcissism · conceit · dandyism · grooming · primping · peacocking · swagger · pompous · foppish · dapper
flourish
To grow vigorously
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
affectation · mannerism · fidgeting · nervous habit · expressive · exaggerated · ostentatious · flamboyant · melodramatic · hammy
twirl one's moustachetip one's hat
Gesture of polite recognition
save the day · knight in shining armor · white knight · come to the rescue · stand tall
twirl one's moustachelay one's cards on the table
Reveal one's true position
wear one's heart on one's sleeve · speak plainly · show one's hand · play it straight · come clean
twirl, moustache, twirls, twirled, twirling, twirler, moustaches, moustached, mustache