thumb one's nose

thumb one's nose
a) To place a thumb upon the tip of the nose, typically with the fingers spread and while simultaneously wiggling ones fingers, in a gesture of disrespect.

My brother thumbed his nose in reply to my snide remarks.

b) To act disrespectfully, especially by flouting the object of disrespect.

Richard Feynman delighted in thumbing his nose at bureaucracy.

See Also: thumb

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  • thumb one's nose at — ► thumb one s nose at informal show disdain or contempt for. [ORIGIN: with reference to the gesture of putting one s thumb on one s nose and spreading the fingers.] Main Entry: ↑thumb …   English terms dictionary

  • thumb one's nose — phrasal 1. : to point at with extended fingers and the thumb at one s nose as a gesture of derision, scorn, or defiance 2. : to treat or regard with disdain thumb their noses at the collective wisdom of the ages C.I.Glicksberg * * * thumb one s… …   Useful english dictionary

  • thumb one's nose — idi thumb one s nose a) to raise the hand with fingers extended and touch the thumb to the nose as a gesture of scorn, defiance, etc b) to manifest defiance or contempt (usu. fol. by at): to thumb one s nose at convention[/ex] …   From formal English to slang

  • thumb one's nose — {v. phr.} 1. To hold one s open hand in front of one s face with one s thumb pointed at one s nose as a sign of scorn or dislike. * /After Bob ran into the house he thumbed his nose at Tom through the window./ 2. {informal} To look with disfavor… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • thumb one's nose — {v. phr.} 1. To hold one s open hand in front of one s face with one s thumb pointed at one s nose as a sign of scorn or dislike. * /After Bob ran into the house he thumbed his nose at Tom through the window./ 2. {informal} To look with disfavor… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • thumb\ one's\ nose — v. phr. 1. To hold one s open hand in front of one s face with one s thumb pointed at one s nose as a sign of scorn or dislike. After Bob ran into the house he thumbed his nose at Tom through the window. 2. informal To look with disfavor or… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • thumb one's nose — phrasal 1. to place the thumb at one s nose and extend the fingers as a gesture of scorn or defiance 2. to express disdain or defiance < thumb their nose at opulence Sales Management > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • thumb one's nose at — informal show disdain or contempt for. [with ref. to the gesture of putting one s thumb on one s nose and spreading the fingers.] → thumb …   English new terms dictionary

  • thumb one's nose — look with disfavor or dislike The star player thumbed his nose at the fans when they began to boo him …   Idioms and examples

  • thumb one's nose at — informal show disdain or contempt for …   Useful english dictionary

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