What does "her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines" imply?

Question

It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines.

I don't quite get what the expression "her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines" conveys. Is it angry, strict or something?

"The thinnest of thin" is like "very, very thin". Whatever emotion causes one to tense the lip muscles into a straight line. You'd have to rely on context to determine the emotion. — TimR, Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 9:25

Laurel · Accepted Answer · 2023-04-23 19:23:07Z

3

Angry. Imagine something like below. The lips are closed tightly to form a thin line.

man's mouth

angry woman pointing

Laurel♦

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answered Nov 7, 2018 at 9:06

nmar

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But the facial gesture is not necessarily angry (even if McGonagall happens to be). Some form of grimness. Determination would also fit.
– TimR
Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 9:23

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