1
general::
Phrase(s): thumb one’s nose at someone or something
1. Lit. to show a sign of derision at someone or something by placing the thumb to the side of the nose. (Often while wiggling the other fingers of the hand.) • Don’t thumb your nose at me unless you want a fight. • Fred thumbed his nose at the car as it drove off. 2. Fig. to dismiss someone or something as worthless, verbally. • Walter thumbed his nose at Fred and asked the gang to send someone else to do the job. • She thumbed her nose at the whole idea.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs