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目を白黒させる (めをしろくろさせる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
be surprised ; be bewildered ; be flustered ; roll one's eyes
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression describing someone so shocked or flustered that their eyes dart around or they look visibly panicked. The literal image is of eyes rolling between white and black, but it is used figuratively for extreme surprise or confusion.
た
。
She was flabbergasted at the sudden news, her eyes darting around in shock.
Similar words 驚おどろ く A general verb for 'be surprised'; 目を白黒させる emphasizes a visible, flustered reaction with a stronger nuance of panic or confusion.
慌あわ てる Means 'to panic' or 'to be flustered'; 目を白黒させる often describes the outward appearance of such a state, especially the eyes.
Etymology The expression literally means 'to make one's eyes white and black', evoking the image of eyes rolling or darting around in shock. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a vivid idiomatic phrase that has been used in Japanese for many decades.
