English Reference
Idiom idiom

look down one's nose


To regard as inferior or distasteful; to hold in contempt.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Don't look down your nose at people who work hard.

CONTEXTUAL

Some people look down their nose at fast food, but I think it tastes great.

COMPLEX

Even though he had no formal education, he refused to look down his nose at those who lacked the academic credentials he had spent years acquiring.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated August 10, 2026