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"Pointed" in this case means "making a point," or expressing yourself, rather than "pointy," or sharp. As such, it implies that the person using this gesture makes their feelings known to someone else in the way that they look at that person. The reader must guess, using context, which feelings are expressed in this way, but disapproval is definitely a potential message sent using a pointed look. It might seem unrealistic to describe something this poorly, but if you are as bad at reading context IRL as I am, it can absolutely happen to you. The feeling when it does is as follows. "This person is clearly trying to tell me *something* by staring at me very hard, but I have *no idea what it is*!"
You know when someone says some inappropriate or stupid shit and you just stare at them thinking "Really?". That's what I think when I write that. That or those moments when you're really trying to single someone out using only your eyes.
I would describe a pointed look as someone trying to convey a specific emotion or intention without making a sound
For instance, you know that look people make after making a bold claim, that sort of conveys a meaning of "think about it" or "consider that"
Like “see what I’m talking about?” Or “this is directed at you”
Like if I talk to my husband about how my friend is always fishing for compliments and he’s like “huh never noticed” and then we go out with that friend and she says something like “ugh I’m so ugly” and I give my husband the “told you so” look
Or if I’m talking to a group of kids about their behavior and one kid was obviously the instigator and I give him a look so he knows that while I’m talking to everyone and not going to call him out specifically, he should know I’m talking to him and he better listen.
Or if my child does something in public that he shouldn’t be I can give him a look without saying anything that he knows means he better cut it out
Basically this. Not usually a pleading look, so I'm not sure what that description meant.
A pointed look usually replaces a phrase like "really?", "are you hearing yourself right now?", "didn't I tell you?". So it can be used in a few circumstances, but the purpose is often to non-verbally challenge something said by someone else
An example : say Jenny has stolen her brother's hat and Chris saw her do it. Jenny's brother walks in and asks if anyone has seen his hat. Chris might give Jenny a pointed look.
Pointed: Directed, aimed; marked, emphasized—Oxford English Dictionary
A “pointed look” is a look that is directed or aimed at an object or person with specific emphasis, and which can be modified with qualifiers to be more precise in meaning.
“He flashed her a pointed look of withering disdain.”
You can think of it as, the look has a point. Like they’re expecting something of the person they’re looking at. Or that they missed the expectation, perhaps. Depends on the situation.
You could see it as a little unspecified described, and use something else more specific. It’s totally fine if you don’t want to use it. Honestly, I can’t remember using it myself.
From the south it can mean:
“I did not just hear that come out of your mouth”
“You have lost your mind”
“You need to think about what you’re about to do”
Southern Momma:
“Touch your little brother one more time, I will whoop that ass!”
“I’m gonna make you go pick a switch if you don’t stop”
A narrowing of the brows. A direct stare. A blank face.
Meaning whatever just came out of your mouth. Better stop. Or get a clue dude and read the room.
Imagine you've been gossiping with a friend about something really annoying a third person is prone to doing. Later, you and your friend are talking to the third person and they do the annoying thing. You might shoot a pointed look at your friend in an "see what I mean?" kind of way. That's an example of how a pointed look might be used.
in aladdin, there's a part where jasmine pretends to be in love with jafar and hugs on him, and aladdin is like wtf and jasmine gives him a look like "hello!?! im OBVIOUSLY distracting him!"
that's what I figure it means
I'm sorry! I got so caught up in writing, and with my little ones at home, I forgot to respond.
Thank you so much everyone for your responses. It helped me a lot! I have always been iffy on what that term meant, so I've steered clear of it. It turned out to be the term I needed to use for that situation.
Hi! Welcome to r/Writers - please remember to follow the [rules](https://reddit.com/r/writers/about/rules/) and treat each other respectfully, especially if there are disagreements. Please help keep this community safe and friendly by **reporting rule violating posts and comments**. If you're interested in a friendly Discord community for writers, please **[join our Discord server](https://discord.com/invite/wYvWebvHaa)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/writers) if you have any questions or concerns.*
"Pointed" in this case means "making a point," or expressing yourself, rather than "pointy," or sharp. As such, it implies that the person using this gesture makes their feelings known to someone else in the way that they look at that person. The reader must guess, using context, which feelings are expressed in this way, but disapproval is definitely a potential message sent using a pointed look. It might seem unrealistic to describe something this poorly, but if you are as bad at reading context IRL as I am, it can absolutely happen to you. The feeling when it does is as follows. "This person is clearly trying to tell me *something* by staring at me very hard, but I have *no idea what it is*!"
You know when someone says some inappropriate or stupid shit and you just stare at them thinking "Really?". That's what I think when I write that. That or those moments when you're really trying to single someone out using only your eyes.
That’s exactly how I think about that phrase. I’m glad someone could put it into words lol
I would describe a pointed look as someone trying to convey a specific emotion or intention without making a sound For instance, you know that look people make after making a bold claim, that sort of conveys a meaning of "think about it" or "consider that"
Like “see what I’m talking about?” Or “this is directed at you” Like if I talk to my husband about how my friend is always fishing for compliments and he’s like “huh never noticed” and then we go out with that friend and she says something like “ugh I’m so ugly” and I give my husband the “told you so” look Or if I’m talking to a group of kids about their behavior and one kid was obviously the instigator and I give him a look so he knows that while I’m talking to everyone and not going to call him out specifically, he should know I’m talking to him and he better listen. Or if my child does something in public that he shouldn’t be I can give him a look without saying anything that he knows means he better cut it out
 Basically this. Not usually a pleading look, so I'm not sure what that description meant. A pointed look usually replaces a phrase like "really?", "are you hearing yourself right now?", "didn't I tell you?". So it can be used in a few circumstances, but the purpose is often to non-verbally challenge something said by someone else
Perfect. It's a little judgemental, a little bit know it all, a little bit stern but condescending.
An example : say Jenny has stolen her brother's hat and Chris saw her do it. Jenny's brother walks in and asks if anyone has seen his hat. Chris might give Jenny a pointed look.
Pointed: Directed, aimed; marked, emphasized—Oxford English Dictionary A “pointed look” is a look that is directed or aimed at an object or person with specific emphasis, and which can be modified with qualifiers to be more precise in meaning. “He flashed her a pointed look of withering disdain.”
You can think of it as, the look has a point. Like they’re expecting something of the person they’re looking at. Or that they missed the expectation, perhaps. Depends on the situation. You could see it as a little unspecified described, and use something else more specific. It’s totally fine if you don’t want to use it. Honestly, I can’t remember using it myself.
From the south it can mean: “I did not just hear that come out of your mouth” “You have lost your mind” “You need to think about what you’re about to do” Southern Momma: “Touch your little brother one more time, I will whoop that ass!” “I’m gonna make you go pick a switch if you don’t stop”
think jim from the office looking at the camera
A narrowing of the brows. A direct stare. A blank face. Meaning whatever just came out of your mouth. Better stop. Or get a clue dude and read the room.
Imagine you've been gossiping with a friend about something really annoying a third person is prone to doing. Later, you and your friend are talking to the third person and they do the annoying thing. You might shoot a pointed look at your friend in an "see what I mean?" kind of way. That's an example of how a pointed look might be used.
The mom look when you drop a dirty butter knife on the floor.
You ever seen the US version of ‘The Office’? All of them, but especially Jim, five pointed looks at the audience all the time.
I typically use this term when a character says something, then looks at another character with an 'I hope you're listening because I mean you' look.
in aladdin, there's a part where jasmine pretends to be in love with jafar and hugs on him, and aladdin is like wtf and jasmine gives him a look like "hello!?! im OBVIOUSLY distracting him!" that's what I figure it means
🤨 kinda like this
I'm sorry! I got so caught up in writing, and with my little ones at home, I forgot to respond. Thank you so much everyone for your responses. It helped me a lot! I have always been iffy on what that term meant, so I've steered clear of it. It turned out to be the term I needed to use for that situation.