A widening of the nostrils as breathing deepens, often preparing the body for exertion or confrontation.
During a heated exchange one party falls silent yet the nostrils widen with each breath. The face stays composed while the breathing quietly betrays the pressure building beneath it.
Take it as a sign of rising arousal, whether anger, exertion or strong emotion building beneath the surface. It often appears just before a person acts or speaks sharply, so treat it as an early warning.
Physical effort and breathlessness produce the same sign, so rule out a simple physical cause first. Someone who has just climbed stairs or feels unwell may flare the nostrils with no emotion involved.
A true smile that engages both the mouth and the muscles around the eyes, creating crinkles at the outer corners.
ExploreA polite smile produced mainly by the mouth, often held to meet social expectation rather than to express joy.
ExploreA very brief flash of true emotion that crosses the face in a fraction of a second before composure returns.
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