frown on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Disapprove of something
Why “on”? An action is directed onto a person, thing or weakness as its target.
“The school frowns on chewing gum.”
“Club staff frowned on queue-jumping while Maya and Leo waited.”
Test yourself
“The school frowns on chewing gum.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
call on
Same on pattern: target
Ask someone to do something formally
cheat on
Same on pattern: target
Be unfaithful to a partner
come on
Same on pattern: target
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Show romantic or sexual interest in someone, often in a direct way; Be broadcast on television or radio
dote on
Same on pattern: target
Show extreme affection toward someone
fall on
Same on pattern: target
Attack someone fiercely
feast on
Same on pattern: target
Eat a large amount of a particular food with enjoyment
feed on
Same on pattern: target
Eat a particular food regularly
gang up on
Same on pattern: target
Join together as a group to threaten or attack one person
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