Body Language Expressions

noun a flying mammal typically active at night

verb to blink or flutter one's eyelids, often in a flirtatious manner

• She tried to remain composed, but couldn't help but bat her eyes in surprise.
• He knew he was in trouble when she started to bat her eyes at him.
• She was really trying to bat her eyes to get out of trouble.
• The politician tried to bat her eyes and charm the audience during the debate.

verb to make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow

• The hostess would beckon guests to their tables with a polite gesture.
• I saw my friend beckon me over to join them at the party.
• He beckoned me to come hang out with him later.
• The call of the ocean beckons sailors to adventure.

noun A tight grasp or grip

verb To close tightly; to grip or grasp tightly

• She could feel her hands start to clench as she tried to control her anger.
• I could see him clenching his fists, ready to throw a punch.
• He was clenching so hard, his knuckles turned white.
• The suspense was so intense, I could feel my heart clench in my chest.

adjective having a dejected or gloomy look or manner

• Despite their best efforts, the team's performance left the coach feeling glum.
• When it started raining during the picnic, everyone's mood turned glum.
• After failing the test, Sarah was feeling pretty glum.
• The dark clouds overhead seemed to mirror Jim's glum mood.

verb to move the head up and down as a way of indicating agreement or understanding

• The professor was nodding in agreement with the student's insightful analysis.
• She caught her friend nodding off during the boring lecture.
• I saw him nodding his head to the beat of the music at the concert.
• The decision was made with everyone nodding in approval.

noun a gesture involving the raising of one's shoulders, often expressing uncertainty or indifference

• She gave a nonchalant shrug when asked about the company's financial performance.
• I don't know where to eat tonight, so I'll just shrug and let someone else decide.
• When he was caught cheating on the test, he just shrugged it off like it was no big deal.
• The politician's response to the scandal was to shrug and act like it was business as usual.

noun a long, deep audible exhalation expressing sadness, relief, tiredness, or a similar feeling

verb to emit a sigh or make a sound expressing a similar feeling

• She let out a deep sigh before addressing the board members.
• I let out a sigh of relief when I found out the test was postponed.
• I can't believe he did that, ugh, *sigh*.
• The old house seemed to sigh with relief as the new owners moved in.

noun An act of closing and opening one eye quickly as a signal or hint.

verb To close and open one eye quickly as a signal or hint.

• She gave a subtle wink to signal that the meeting was over.
• He always winks at me when he wants to flirt.
• I'll give you a wink when it's time to leave the party.
• The universe seemed to wink at me with a shooting star in the night sky.

noun a small or subtle expression that is difficult to detect without close observation

• The psychologist was able to detect the suspect's guilt through his micro expressions.
• I can always tell when my sister is lying because of her micro expressions.
• Dude, did you see the micro expression on his face when he got caught?
• Her eyes betrayed a micro expression of sadness before she quickly composed herself.

noun a type of facial expression characterized by a slight, often scornful smile

verb to smile in a smug, scornful, or self-satisfied way

• The detective's smir showed that he knew more than he was letting on.
• She couldn't help but smir when she saw her ex's new girlfriend.
• He gave a little smir before confidently walking away.
• The sun seemed to smir behind the clouds, promising a beautiful day ahead.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific thing, person, or place

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adjective a word that describes or gives more information about a noun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The new company policy is likely to raise eyebrows among employees.
• His decision to quit his job and travel the world definitely raised some eyebrows.
• Her outfit really raised eyebrows at the party last night.
• The controversial art exhibit has certainly raised eyebrows in the art community.

noun a pair of quotation marks made in the air with one's fingers to indicate that the enclosed text should be understood as being ironic or otherwise non-literal

• During the presentation, the speaker used air quotes to emphasize certain key terms.
• She always does this thing with her fingers when she's talking, like air quotes or something.
• I can't stand it when people use air quotes like they're too cool for regular words.
• His apology seemed insincere, as if he was using air quotes around the words 'I'm sorry'.

noun the act or process of coming into or being in contact with something

adjective pertaining to or involving physical contact or touching

• The touchings between the two countries have improved diplomatic relations.
• I heard about the touchings between them, seems like they are getting along well.
• Have you seen the touchings going on between those two? It's kinda cute.
• The touchings of kindness and compassion in her actions were truly heartwarming.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite

• It is considered inappropriate to show a bit of ankle or leg in a formal setting.
• You can show a bit of ankle or leg if you're going for a casual look.
• Hey, why not show a bit of ankle or leg to spice up your outfit?
• She decided to show a bit of ankle or leg by revealing a hint of her true self during the interview.