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general::
Phrase(s): sniff at someone or something
1. Lit. to try to get the smell of someone or something by smelling. • The dog sniffed at the visitor. • The cat sniffed at almost every inch of the rug that the dog had walked on. 2. Fig. to show one’s disapproval of someone or something by sniffing. (Sometimes this is figurative, the "sniffing" being expressed by tone of voice or gesture.) • I made one suggestion, but Claire just sniffed at me. • Gale just sniffed at the idea and would say nothing.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs