thumb one's nose at someone or something
- thumb one's nose at someone or something
thumb one's nose at someone or something
1. Lit. to show a sign of derision at someone or something by placing the thumb to the side of the nose. (Often while wiggling the other fingers of the hand.) •
Don't thumb your nose at me unless you want a fight.
•
Fred thumbed his nose at the car as it drove off.
2. Fig. to dismiss someone or something as worthless, verbally. •
Walter thumbed his nose at Fred and asked the gang to send someone else to do the job.
•
She thumbed her nose at the whole idea.
Dictionary of American idioms.
2013.
Look at other dictionaries:
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