Idioms containing NOSE
TOP words in categories
CUT OFF (ONE'S) NOSE TO SPITE (ONE'S) FACE
to injure oneself in the process of seeking revenge or attempting to punish someone
1. Sally was offended when she did not immediately receive an invitation to the party. When she got hers the next week, she refused to attend even though she really wanted to. She cut off her nose to spite her face.
2. When Philip looked at the first question on the test and knew he could not answer it, he became frustrated and refused to go on to the next question. He failed the test when he might have passed. He cut off his nose to spite his face.
2. When Philip looked at the first question on the test and knew he could not answer it, he became frustrated and refused to go on to the next question. He failed the test when he might have passed. He cut off his nose to spite his face.
GET UP SOMEONE'S NOSE
to annoy or irritate someone
1. People who drive like that really get up my nose.
2. Hey, your loud music is really getting up my nose.
2. Hey, your loud music is really getting up my nose.
GET/HIT (SMTH.) ON THE NOSE
to do or understand smth. perfectly
1. That’s the right answer! You really got it on the nose.
2. Joannie’s argument made perfect sense to me—she really hit it on the nose
2. Joannie’s argument made perfect sense to me—she really hit it on the nose
IT'S NO SKIN OFF (SOMEONE'S) NOSE
it has no effect on someone or it is of no concern to someone
1. I think you’re crazy to spend your money on that car, but it’s your decision. It’s no skin off my nose.
2. Don’t tell me what to do with my life. It’s no skin off your nose if I choose to quit school.
2. Don’t tell me what to do with my life. It’s no skin off your nose if I choose to quit school.
KEEP (ONE'S) NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE
to work hard without rest
1. You will succeed if you keep working hard, but you have to keep your nose to the grindstone
2. Kim is studying constantly now because she has final exams next week. She’s in her room keeping her nose to the grindstone
2. Kim is studying constantly now because she has final exams next week. She’s in her room keeping her nose to the grindstone
KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN
to avoid getting into trouble
1. I'd only been out of prison three months, so I was trying to keep my nose clean.
2. He tried to keep his nose clean with socially useful work.
2. He tried to keep his nose clean with socially useful work.
LEAD (SOMEONE) AROUND BY THE NOSE
to dominate someone; to force someone to do smth.
1. The department chairman runs the department, and no one else has any say in how things are done. He leads everyone by the nose
2. The students seem to be in control of what’s going on in the classroom. They lead the teacher around by the nose.
2. The students seem to be in control of what’s going on in the classroom. They lead the teacher around by the nose.
LOOK DOWN (ONE'S) NOSE AT (SOMEONE/SMTH.)
to be snobbish about someone or smth.
1. The well-off people in this city look down their noses at taking public transportation. They only take taxis.
2. The girl’s parents would not let her marry the young man because he was from a lower social class. They looked down their noses at him.
2. The girl’s parents would not let her marry the young man because he was from a lower social class. They looked down their noses at him.
PAY THROUGH THE NOSE
to pay a great amount; to pay too much
1. Carissa wanted tickets to the concert so badly that she was willing to pay double for them. She paid through the nose , but she made it to the concert.
2. Peter‘s parents said he couldn’t go out until he finished his chores, so Peter promised to do his sister’s chores for a whole week if she would do his for a day. He had to pay through the nose, but it was worth it to him.
2. Peter‘s parents said he couldn’t go out until he finished his chores, so Peter promised to do his sister’s chores for a whole week if she would do his for a day. He had to pay through the nose, but it was worth it to him.
POKE ONE'S NOSE INTO SMTH.
to show too much interest in a situation that does not involve you
1. We don't take kindly to strangers who poke their noses into our affairs.
2. I wish our neighbors would quit poking their noses in and just leave us alone!
2. I wish our neighbors would quit poking their noses in and just leave us alone!
POWDER ONE'S NOSE
a polite or humorous way of saying that you are going to go to the toilet
1. Would you get me another drink while I go and powder my nose?
2. I'll be right back. I just have to powder my nose.
2. I'll be right back. I just have to powder my nose.
STICK (ONE'S) NOSE IN
to try to find out about someone else’s private business
1. Don’t stick your nose in where it’s not wanted. This matter is between Pat and me, and it has nothing to do with you.
2. I mind my own business, and don’t get involved in other people’s personal affairs. I don’t stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.
2. I mind my own business, and don’t get involved in other people’s personal affairs. I don’t stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.
TURN UP (ONE'S) NOSE AT (SMTH./SOMEONE)
to scorn, snub, or reject smth.
1. Mrs. Beasley wouldn’t have anything to do with her new neighbors. She turned up her nose at them when they tried to make friendly conversation.
2. The child was so used to eating fresh vegetables that when I tried to feed him frozen vegetables, he turned up his nose at them and refused to eat.
2. The child was so used to eating fresh vegetables that when I tried to feed him frozen vegetables, he turned up his nose at them and refused to eat.
UNDER SOMEONE'S NOSE
directly in front of someone; in an obvious place
1. he thrust the paper under the Inspector's nose.
2. I’ve been looking for my keys and they were right here under my nose all the time.
2. I’ve been looking for my keys and they were right here under my nose all the time.
| Go Back |