nose or a group out
nose out
1. To move forward very slowly and cautiously out of some place. In this usage, the preposition "of" is used after "out" when the place is specified; a noun or pronoun can be used between "nose" and "out" if the verb is used transitively. I think you'll have enough room to get out of the parking spot—just nose the car out a little bit at a time to be sure. I nosed out of the house to get away from the party without anyone noticing. She nosed the motorcycle quietly out of the shed so as not to wake her parents.
2. To defeat someone by a narrow margin, thus knocking them out of the competition or contest. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nose" and "out." The underdogs managed to nose out the former champions in a thrilling last-minute victory. After a late surge in the polls, Mayor Smith nosed out the Michigan senator many assumed would be the party's nominee.
3. To locate something through the use of one's nose. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nose" and "out." The dog was able to nose out the stash of drugs. The suspect may be in hiding, but these bloodhounds will nose him out.
4. To discover something that had been hidden through careful and thorough investigation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nose" and "out." If anyone will be able to nose out the truth, she will. Scientists believe they have nosed out the genes responsible for giving one's face its particular shape.
See also: nose, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
nose someone or a group out
to defeat someone or something by a narrow margin. (Alludes to a horse winning a race "by a nose.") Karen nosed Bobby out in the election for class president by one vote. Our team nosed out the opposing team in last Friday's game.
See also: group, nose, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- haul around
- lift down
- defect to
- defect to (something)
- ditch (some place)
- Mecca for
- flock in
- flock in(to) (some place or thing)
- barrel in
- barrel in(to)