flare

The act of pulling up your top lip to reveal some or all of your teeth. Typically performed unconsciously by someone who is nervous, shy, or disgusted. Not a smile, although it is sometimes accompanied by, or transforms into, a frown smile.

Q: Why does Ben flare so much around people?

A: Because he's really nervous in social situations.

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frown smiler

Someone who frown-smiles. They either do so because 1) they are not confident enough to smile, or 2) they want to create the impression of modesty and ingenuousness. This latter reason is usually a means to a particular end, for instance frown smiling in order to convince an audience of a statement or belief.

Why does Butthead such a frown smiler?

Devlyn Steele is totally trying to get into our heads with that frown smile.

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