die Wimper
eyelash
One of the fine hairs that grow on the upper and lower edges of the eyelids and protect the eye from dirt and foreign objects.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, du hast da eine Wimper im Auge.
Careful, you have an eyelash in your eye.
die Wimper
eyelash
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Meanings
ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken
without batting an eyelash
An idiom meaning not to show any visible emotional reaction, fear, or nervousness, even though the situation would lead one to expect it.
EXAMPLE
Er log dem Polizisten direkt ins Gesicht, ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken.
He lied straight to the police officer's face without batting an eyelash.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can easily recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about eyes, beauty, or cosmetics, it means the hair. If the exact expression 'ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken' (without batting an eyelash) appears, the idiom is meant.
EXAMPLE
Sie tuscht sich jeden Morgen die Wimpern.
She puts mascara on her eyelashes every morning.
Typical collocations
In a cosmetics context, typical collocations are 'die Wimpern tuschen' (to put mascara on one's eyelashes), 'sich die Wimpern färben' (to dye one's eyelashes), or talking about 'langen' (long) and 'dichten' (thick/full) eyelashes.
EXAMPLE
Für den Abend trug sie künstliche Wimpern.
For the evening, she wore false eyelashes.
Singular vs. plural
Normally, people talk about 'den Wimpern' (the eyelashes) in the plural, since you have many of them. The singular 'die Wimper' (the eyelash) is usually only used when talking about one single, specific hair, for example if it has fallen out.
EXAMPLE
Ich glaube, ich habe eine Wimper im Auge.
I think I have an eyelash in my eye.
Fixed idiom
The expression 'ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken' (without batting an eyelash) is a fixed idiom. The form does not change and means that someone remains completely unimpressed and calm in a surprising or stressful situation.
EXAMPLE
Die Angeklagte hörte sich das Urteil an, ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken.
The defendant listened to the verdict without batting an eyelash.
In real life
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