idiom / phrasal expression · neutral
not turn a hair
UK/nɒt tɜːn ə heə(r)/US/nɑt tɜrn ə her/not TURN a HAIR
speakingtask2
to show no surprise, worry, or emotion when something happens
Examples
“Even when accused, she did not turn a hair.”
“He explained the mistake calmly and didn't turn a hair.”
“During the press conference, the CEO didn't turn a hair despite the difficult questions.”
Band 8 sentence
“Even when the proposal was publicly criticised, the minister did not turn a hair and continued with the defence.”
Collocations
- not turn a hair at/about
- didn't turn a hair
Word family
turn verbhair noun
Common mistakes
didn't turn hair→didn't turn a hair
not turn a hair at→not turn a hair about/at
Say it for a higher band
5stay calm→6keep calm→7+not turn a hair
Synonyms
stay calm
Easily confused
stay calm
“He stayed calm throughout the emergency.”
Related words
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