frown upon

What does "frown upon" mean?

To disapprove of something socially or institutionally

Examples

• Nepotism is heavily frowned upon in modern governance.
• The academic community frowns upon self-plagiarism.
• Such behavior is frowned upon in professional settings.
• Using informal language in diplomacy is frowned upon.

How to use it

Used for behavior that is unethical but not illegal.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• get up

  To rise from bed after sleeping

• get back

  To return to a place

• get along

  To have a friendly relationship with someone

• get away

  To escape from a place or person

• get over

  To recover from an illness, shock, or emotional upset

• get through

  To successfully complete or finish something difficult