frown upon
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To disapprove of.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Regular passengers become familiar with their train and attempts to change its make-up or any other aspect of its working are more often than not frowned upon, even though the change is probably for the better.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “frown upon” mean?
To disapprove of.
Is “frown upon” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.