# wipe someone's nose

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/wipe-someones-nose
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To defeat someone humiliatingly, usually by robbing or killing.

## Examples

- The champion wiped his nose in the final round.
- The rival team thought they would win, but the home side completely wiped their nose in the championship game.
- After the underdog unexpectedly dominated the match, the spectators watched in silence as the veteran player wiped his nose in a display of total humiliation.

---

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.