frown on

English

Alternative forms

• frown upon

Verb

frown on (third-person singular simple present frowns on, present participle frowning on, simple past and past participle frowned on)

1. (figurative) To disapprove of (something or someone, often a behavior); to express disapproval of (something or someone).

   Coach frowns on smoking, even in the off-season.

   • 1948 January and February, “British Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 2:

     The three "Greats" (Great Eastern, Great Central, and Great Northern) were prepared to amalgamate, but Parliament continued to frown on such proposals.

   • 2018, Sally Rooney, “Two Days Later (April 2011)”, in Normal People:

     Is it because of her mother? said Lorraine. You think she'd frown on you?