Fear

What to look for

1. 1The brows lift and draw toward each other.
2. 2The upper eyelids rise while the lower lids tense.
3. 3The mouth may stretch sideways.

Fear and surprise can both involve raised brows and open eyes. In the fear pattern, look for added tension: brows drawing toward each other, a firmer lower eyelid, and a mouth that stretches sideways rather than simply dropping open.

Try this observation exercise

Alternate between neutral and the expression. Name the mouth change before deciding on the label. Then compare this example with surprise and check whether the brow shape supports your first impression.