thumb one's nose
English edit
Etymology edit
Pronunciation edit
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Verb edit
thumb one's nose (third-person singular simple present thumbs one's nose, present participle thumbing one's nose, simple past and past participle thumbed one's nose)
- To place a thumb upon the tip of the nose, typically with the fingers spread and while simultaneously wiggling one's fingers, in a gesture of disrespect.
- My brother thumbed his nose in reply to my snide remarks.
- (figuratively) To act disrespectfully, especially by flouting the object of disrespect.
- Richard Feynman delighted in thumbing his nose at the dissidents and workers.
Synonyms edit
- (place a thumb upon the tip of the nose in a gesture of disrespect): cock a snook
Translations edit
to place a thumb upon the tip of the nose in a gesture of disrespect
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to act disrespectfully, especially by flouting the object of disrespect
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See also edit