# turn up one's nose

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/turn-up-ones-nose
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Followed by at.

## Examples

- 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.

## 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”)). (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.