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Can you raise one eyebrow (without the other)? Is it possible to learn how to do this?

103 replies

janeandmarysmum · 05/12/2025 16:07

As per the title. I can't, and would like to be able to. As I'm getting older, there are more and more situations that I would like to (non-verbally) respond quizzically to. Raising one eyebrow would seem to be the perfect way. Is it possible to "teach yourself"??
TIA.

OP posts:
ImThePr0blem · 05/12/2025 17:28

I can but only due to nerve damage in my other eyebrow. I can’t raise both.

GumFossil · 05/12/2025 17:28

Yes. But only one. My husband and kids can switch between the two. It must be partly a genetic thing like tongue rolling

ImThePr0blem · 05/12/2025 17:29

Mathsbabe · 05/12/2025 17:26

I can wiggle both ears and am now committed to learning how to raise one eyebrow. Learning a new skill is good for us, yes?

My parter can wiggle his ears, it’s incredibly creepy

AgnesMcDoo · 05/12/2025 17:29

No but DH, DD and DS can so I think it’s genetic whether you can do it or not.

Jaq27 · 05/12/2025 17:31

I can raise both left and right eyebrows.
Live Long & Prosper!

ilparadodosdoltos · 05/12/2025 17:31

I didn’t know you could learn! I was always gutted I couldn’t - my dad can do both, my son can do it. Is it too late?? Can I really learn? I’m inspired (and left-handed - feels like it would be my right one that would work)

SwankyPants · 05/12/2025 17:36

Yes! When I was younger I had a massive crush on Lewis Collins (Bodie from The Professionals) and he could do it so I worked at it till I could 😂
Only my left, cant do the right though

OtherS · 05/12/2025 17:38

Also taught myself as a preteen / teen. Had no idea so many of us were sitting in our bedrooms working out our eyebrow muscles, I assumed everyone else could just do it naturally! Can do both, and very glad I put the work in; it's still a skill I find much use for.

Cupofteaforyou · 05/12/2025 17:39

I can raise my left eyebrow. I taught myself in the mirror as a teen by holding the right one in place and practicing relentlessly 😂

Breakitinto3 · 05/12/2025 17:41

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/12/2025 16:12

I can, but only the left one - cannot do it with the right, I just look confused

Same!

HansHolbein · 05/12/2025 17:41

Only the left one

PinkSkies2026 · 05/12/2025 17:41

I cam but have to mentally push the other eyebrow down first so it's not perfect.

PragmaticIsh · 05/12/2025 17:46

I can do each one independently. For me the right brow raised is how I show scepticism, the left more non-suspicious surprise.

Chazbots · 05/12/2025 17:50

Yep, also flare my nostrils and a while back when I was fitter, waggle my boobs, like Terry Crews but without the impressive bulk.

Gatekeeper · 05/12/2025 18:01

Only the left brow but 'tis magnificent !

Also talk of ears has reminded me of the poem my teacher Mrs Winter taught me in 1968 !

"Do your ears hang low, do they waggle to and fro
Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them in a bow
Can you throw them over yer shoulder , like a regimental soldier
Do your ears- hang - low"

SnowyThings · 05/12/2025 18:02

I saw Sharon in Eastenders doing it in one episode when Kelvin asked her why he should go out with her, (“I could go on the pill”) and I thought she was soooo grown up & sophisticated with her one raised eyebrow that I sat in front of a mirror & taught myself to do it. Very useful skill for smouldering.

RiderOfTheBlue · 05/12/2025 18:06

I can do it, left one only. A very useful skill. You can convey all sorts with one well timed lift.

TangoWhiskeyAlphaTango123 · 05/12/2025 18:10

No but DS can do a Mexican wave with his it’s his party trick!

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 05/12/2025 18:15

Only my left not my right

evtheria · 05/12/2025 18:37

Chazbots · 05/12/2025 17:50

Yep, also flare my nostrils and a while back when I was fitter, waggle my boobs, like Terry Crews but without the impressive bulk.

Shock oh, to have the muscle control of a Shaolin monk… or Chazbots

@AudHvammIt genuinely does impress people 😂 And when it doesn’t you can do just one eyebrow to convey your disbelief in their unappreciative and/or disdain for them.

BartholemewTheCat · 05/12/2025 18:42

NooNakedJacuzziness · 05/12/2025 16:12

I can, but only the left one - cannot do it with the right, I just look confused

I can raise the right but not the left!

SwedishEdith · 05/12/2025 18:42

Left eyebrow for me as well but it does mean my right eye looks more saggy now 🤨

Chazbots · 05/12/2025 18:46

Gatekeeper · 05/12/2025 18:01

Only the left brow but 'tis magnificent !

Also talk of ears has reminded me of the poem my teacher Mrs Winter taught me in 1968 !

"Do your ears hang low, do they waggle to and fro
Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them in a bow
Can you throw them over yer shoulder , like a regimental soldier
Do your ears- hang - low"

We had a much ruder version of that at my comp, back in the day.

Gentlydoesit2 · 05/12/2025 18:49

I taught myself to do this... Hours staring into a mirror and now I'm a pro 👍🏼🤣

Blessedbethefruitz · 05/12/2025 18:49

WrylyAmused · 05/12/2025 16:08

I can't do it, but an ex girlfriend told me she taught herself this as a teen - apparently involved many hours pulling faces in a mirror until she figured out which muscles to move and how to isolate them.

So apparently yes.

Am I the ex girlfriend?! I did this as a teenager, I had a slight ptsosis. Took 2 full days in front of the mirror. Still cant do the other. Can flare nostrils at will though - was a busy weekend...