turn up one's nose
Followed by at.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She turned up her nose at the cheap wine.”
“You should not turn up your nose at this helpful advice.”
“He turns up his nose at any car that is not a sports car.”
“My kids always turn up their noses at vegetables, no matter how I cook them.”
“The experienced designer turned up her nose at the cheap fabric because she only works with high-quality silk.”
“Many travelers turn up their noses at the local street food, but it is actually the most delicious meal in town.”
“Though he had grown up in poverty himself, the successful businessman now turned up his nose at any restaurant that did not have a Michelin star.”
disputed origin
From turn (verb) + up (preposition) + one’s + nose (noun), describing a gesture possibly universally understood as indicating contempt, disgust, or scorn which has existed at least since Ancient Greek times: see Ancient Greek ἐκμυκτηρίζω (ekmuktērízō, “to hold in derision”), from ἐκ- (ek-, prefix expressing completion or totality) and μυκτηρίζω (muktērízō, “to turn up the nose, sneer at”) (from μῠκτήρ (mŭktḗr, “nostril”)).
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 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”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 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