What Does an Eyebrow Flash Mean?

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Everything you need to know about this nonverbal expression

Co-authored by Maureen Taylor and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 28, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is an eyebrow flash?

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Different Meanings of an Eyebrow Flash

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Interpreting an Eyebrow Flash

You lock eyes with someone across the room and could’ve sworn they raised their eyebrows for a split second at you. Huh? What does that even mean? This is known as an “eyebrow flash” and is a common nonverbal form of communication. When someone flashes their brows at you, it’s likely because they want to talk to you or grab your attention. Read on to find out more about this unconscious expression and what it means in different contexts.

Eyebrow Flash Meaning

An eyebrow flash is the unconscious act of quickly raising and lowering the eyebrows when a person sees someone they recognize and want to talk to. Eyebrow flashing can also happen in other contexts, like when someone is flirting, surprised, or even upset.

Section 1 of 3:

What is an eyebrow flash?

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The gesture typically happens within a split second without the person doing it even realizing it. However, despite how quickly it happens, other people can subconsciously pick up on the gesture when they see it. Eyebrow flashes often occur when someone sees someone else they recognize and want to talk to. It's kind of like a nonverbal way of saying, “Hey, I see you, want to chat?”^{[1]
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Section 2 of 3:

Different Meanings of an Eyebrow Flash

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A friendly greeting or conversation starter In most instances, an eyebrow flash is a sign that someone wants to talk to you. Perhaps a friend sees you across the room, gives you a wide smile, and subtly raises their brows. This likely indicates that they want to chat with you.^{[2]
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- For example, a friend might flash their eyebrows at you when you walk into a party to say, “Hey, come over here!” And then they may nod their head in your friend group’s direction.
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Flirty advance An eyebrow flash can be a romantic advance between two people. Think of it as a way to nonverbally say, “Hey, I think you’re cute. Let’s chat.” If someone subtly raises their brows at you and then sends a wink, pick-up line, or coy smile your way, they’re likely physically attracted to you.^{[3]
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- Let’s say you’re at a restaurant, and the waiter brings you a drink with compliments from the person behind you. They're most likely flirting if you turn around and they raise their brows at you with a smile.
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Shock or surprise Paired with wide eyes, an eyebrow flash can be a sign of shock. If someone raises their eyebrows and widens their eyes at the same time, they could be shocked or alarmed by something. Maybe they’re surprised to see someone or something or don’t expect something to happen when it does. This unconscious expression is their body’s reaction to what’s going on.^{[4]
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- For example, someone may raise and lower their brows when they’re witnessing an argument.
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Approval In some cases, an eyebrow flash is a nonverbal way to say, “Yes.” Similarly, to a head nod, an eyebrow flash can subtly convey an agreement or arrangement between two people.^{[5]
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- For instance, say you’re planning a prank with a friend. The signal to make sure you’re both ready to start the prank may be to lock eyes and raise and lower your brows.
- Alternatively, an eyebrow flash can be a sign of disapproval in certain cultures as it can indicate a state of question or concern.

Section 3 of 3:

How do you interpret an eyebrow flash?

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Interpret an eyebrow flash by looking for context clues. While most eyebrow flashes are a sign of interest or will to converse, they could have slightly different meanings depending on the context of the situation. Decipher what an eyebrow flash means by considering your relationship with the person, the situation you’re currently in, and their body language.^{[6]
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Go to source} Here’s a quick guide you can follow:
- They’re likely being friendly if you’re acquaintances or close friends with them and they gesture at you to come over and chat.
- They’re likely being flirty if they give you a charming smile, toss their hair, or wink.^{[7]
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- They’re likely shocked or surprised if the situation is tense and their mouth is hanging open.^{[8]
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- They’re likely agreeing with you if they give you a thumbs up or you’ve planned something together.