Thumb your nose at Meaning in English
expression
THUHM yor/yer NOHZ at
th-UHM yaw NOHZ at
Definition
To show disrespect for someone or something, usually in a playful, mockingly rude way.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is informal and sometimes old-fashioned. It often suggests playful defiance rather than serious insult. Commonly followed by the thing or person being disrespected: 'thumb your nose at authority'. Can be both literal (gesture) and figurative.
Spanish: despreciar - burlarse dePortuguese (BR): desdenhar - zombar dePortuguese (PT): desdenhar - troçar deChinese (Simplified): 对...表示蔑视 - 嘲笑Chinese (Traditional): 對...表示蔑視 - 嘲笑Hindi: नाक पर अंगूठा फेरना - अपमानित करनाArabic: يسخر من - يزدريBengali: নিকৃষ্টতা প্রদর্শন করা - মূল্যের প্রতি বিদ্রুপ করাRussian: выказывать неуважение - насмехатьсяJapanese: 鼻であしらう - 馬鹿にするVietnamese: coi thường - chế giễuKorean: 코웃음치다 - 조롱하다Turkish: alay etmek - küçümsemekUrdu: ناک بھوں چڑھانا - مذاق اڑاناIndonesian: mencemooh - meremehkan
Example Sentences
He likes to thumb his nose at rules he doesn't agree with.
basic
The company thumbed its nose at the new law.
basic
Don't thumb your nose at your teachers.
basic
She just thumbed her nose at tradition and wore whatever she wanted to the wedding.
natural
They've been thumbing their noses at the competition all season.
natural
If you thumb your nose at the dress code, people will notice.
natural