U

frown on

verb (used without object)

to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought; scowl.
to look displeased; have an angry look.
to view with disapproval; look disapprovingly (usually followed by on or upon): to frown upon a scheme.

verb (used with object)

to express by a frown: to frown one’s displeasure.
to force or shame with a disapproving frown: to frown someone into silence.

noun

a frowning look; scowl.
any expression or show of disapproval: a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.

verb

(intr) to draw the brows together and wrinkle the forehead, esp in worry, anger, or concentration
(intr; foll by on or upon) to have a dislike (of); look disapprovingly (upon)the club frowned upon political activity by its members
(tr) to express (worry, etc) by frowning
(tr often foll by down) to force, silence, etc, by a frowning look

noun

the act of frowning
a show of dislike or displeasure

late 14c., from Old French frognier “to frown or scowl, snort, turn one’s nose up,” related to froigne “scowling look,” probably from Gaulish *frogna “nostril” (cf. Welsh ffroen “nose”), with a sense of “snort,” or perhaps “haughty grimace.” Related: Frowned; frowning.

1580s, from frown (v.).

Regard with disapproval or distaste, as in Pat frowns on bad language. this idiom transfers the disapproving facial expression to the thought it expresses. [Late 1500s]