Significado
To show no reaction to something shocking.
Contexto cultural
In Italy, being 'imperturbabile' (unshakable) is often seen as a sign of high social status or professional maturity. While Italians are known for being expressive, 'non battere ciglio' represents the power of 'autocontrollo'. In classic Italian 'Poliziottesco' or Mafia films, the protagonists often 'non battono ciglio' when faced with danger, symbolizing their 'tough guy' persona. In Northern Italy (e.g., Milan), there is a cultural stereotype of being more 'freddo' (cold) and professional. Here, 'non battere ciglio' is a common way to describe the ideal business behavior. Younger Italians might use 'non fare una piega' more often than 'non battere ciglio' in very casual settings, but they still perfectly understand and use the latter in formal contexts.
Use it for 'Poker Face'
If you want to describe someone with a great poker face, this is the most natural idiom to use.
Singular only!
Always keep 'ciglio' singular. 'Non battere ciglia' sounds like a medical condition.
Significado
To show no reaction to something shocking.
Use it for 'Poker Face'
If you want to describe someone with a great poker face, this is the most natural idiom to use.
Singular only!
Always keep 'ciglio' singular. 'Non battere ciglia' sounds like a medical condition.
The 'Senza' trick
Using 'senza battere ciglio' after a verb is the easiest way to sound like a native speaker. E.g., 'Ha pagato senza battere ciglio.'
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Quando ha visto il conto del ristorante, Marco non ha ________ ________.
'Battuto ciglio' is the correct idiom for showing no reaction to a price.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the natural Italian sentence:
The singular 'ciglio' without an article is the standard idiomatic form.
Match the situation to the most likely use of 'non battere ciglio'.
Situation: A person is told they have to work on Saturday, and they just say 'Okay.'
The person showed no negative reaction or surprise.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Gli ho detto che la sua auto è stata rubata!' B: 'E lui?' A: 'Niente, ________ ________ ________.'
The context requires a phrase meaning 'he didn't react'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosQuando ha visto il conto del ristorante, Marco non ha ________ ________.
'Battuto ciglio' is the correct idiom for showing no reaction to a price.
Select the natural Italian sentence:
The singular 'ciglio' without an article is the standard idiomatic form.
Situation: A person is told they have to work on Saturday, and they just say 'Okay.'
The person showed no negative reaction or surprise.
A: 'Gli ho detto che la sua auto è stata rubata!' B: 'E lui?' A: 'Niente, ________ ________ ________.'
The context requires a phrase meaning 'he didn't react'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasBoth are correct. 'Non battere ciglio' is more common and idiomatic. Adding 'un' makes it slightly more emphatic, like 'not even a single eyelash.'
Technically yes, but it usually implies a lack of reaction to something difficult, shocking, or expensive. For a happy surprise, it might sound like the person is ungrateful.
'Non fare una piega' is more informal and often used for plans or arguments that remain solid, whereas 'non battere ciglio' is specifically about a person's facial/emotional reaction.
It is neutral. You can use it with your friends, but you'll also see it in high-quality literature and newspapers.
Yes, exactly the same. The imagery and the meaning are identical.
Yes, e.g., 'Scommetto che non batterà ciglio' (I bet he won't bat an eyelid).
It is masculine (il ciglio). Note that the plural 'le ciglia' is feminine, but you don't use the plural in this idiom.
No, that would mean 'don't blink your eyes' in a literal sense, like during an eye exam.
Many old Italian idioms drop the article to create a more 'fixed' or 'frozen' expression. It's a stylistic feature of the language.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
Frases relacionadas
non fare una piega
synonymTo not show any reaction or to remain undisturbed.
restare di sasso
contrastTo be stunned or shocked into silence.
in un batter d'occhio
similarIn the blink of an eye; very quickly.
fare spallucce
similarTo shrug one's shoulders.
