askance

To view or regard something in a disapproving or distrustful manner. Such is the state of politics these days that even the most patriotic citizens tend to look askance upon the manner in which congress conducts business. I know that the Ivy League students may look askance upon a country bumpkin such as myself, but I will show them that I have the mettle to be their equal.

Fig. to be surprised or shocked at someone or something. The teacher looked askance at the student who had acted so rudely. Everyone had looked askance at her efforts as an artist.

to consider someone or something in a disapproving way The courts have tended to look askance at many of these claims. Our teachers looked at us askance.

View with mistrust, as in They looked askance at him when he said he'd just made a million in the stock market. The precise feeling conveyed by this expression has varied since it was first used in the 1500s, from envy to contempt to suspicion, although the literal meaning was "look obliquely, with a side glance." The present sense dates from about 1800. Also see look sideways.