The phrase "look daggers" refers to giving someone a hostile or angry stare. It is spelled as /lʊk ˈdæɡərz/ in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced as "look" with a short 'u' sound and the second syllable is pronounced as "daggers" with a soft 'g' and a rolled 'r' sound. The word 'daggers' refers to a sharp weapon used for stabbing, hence the phrase 'look daggers' suggests a piercing and threatening stare that symbolizes enmity or anger.
The phrase "look daggers" is an idiomatic expression referring to the intense and hostile gaze or stare that a person gives someone else. It depicts a furious, angry, or resentful facial expression that conveys a strong sense of disapproval or displeasure towards the subject of the gaze. The term "daggers" symbolizes the sharpness and piercing power of a dagger, emphasizing the intensity and potentially harmful intent behind the look.
When someone "looks daggers" at another person, their eyes become narrow, their brows furrowed, and their gaze becomes intense and threatening. This form of non-verbal communication often occurs in situations where the person feels deeply offended, angered, or betrayed, and they use their eyes to express their negative feelings towards the other individual. It is a visual manifestation of extreme disdain or contempt, visually conveying their desire to harm or discredit the person being looked at.
The phrase "look daggers" is commonly used in literature, theater, and everyday language to describe a fiercely angry or scornful stare. It metaphorically suggests that the looker is mentally stabbing or attacking the person being looked at with metaphorical daggers or sharp objects, with the intention of conveying their strong disapproval or threatening them psychologically. Overall, "looking daggers" is a vivid and powerful expression that effectively captures the intensity and hostilities conveyed through an angry stare.
The phrase "look daggers" is believed to have originated in the early 17th century.
The word "look" comes from the Old English word "lōcian", which means "to see, gaze, or look". It has Germanic roots and is related to the Dutch word "kijken" and the German word "schauen".
The word "dagger" comes from the Old French word "dague", which means "dagger" or "knife". It can be traced back to the Vulgar Latin word "daca", which ultimately originated from the Old Norse "daggardr" or Old High German "tac".
When combined, the phrase "look daggers" implies a fierce or hostile gaze, as if one were threatening or about to attack another person with a dagger.