snook

cock a snook

To regard someone or something with disrespect. Primarily heard in UK. Don't you cock a snook at my instructions—I'm your superior!
See also: cock, snook

cock a snoot

To regard someone or something with disrespect. Primarily heard in UK. Don't you cock a snoot at my instructions—I'm your superior!
See also: cock, snoot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cock a snook at someone

to show or express defiance or scorn at someone. He cocked a snook at the traffic cop and tore up the ticket. The boy cocked a snook at the park attendant and walked on the grass.
See also: cock, snook
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

cock a snook

Thumb one's nose, as in As soon as the teacher turned her back, the boys cocked a snook at her. This expression was first recorded in 1791 and the precise source of snook, here used in the sense of "a derisive gesture," has been lost. It is more widely used in Britain but is not unknown in America.
See also: cock, snook
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

cock a snook at someone/something

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you cock a snook at someone or something, you show them that you do not respect them, often by insulting them. They drove around in big cars, openly flaunting their wealth and cocking a snook at the forces of law and order. This was the electorate's attempt to cock a snook at their own political establishment. Note: To cock a snook at someone literally means to make a rude gesture by placing the end of your thumb on the end of your nose, spreading out your fingers, and moving them up and down. `Thumb your nose at someone' means the same.
See also: cock, snook, someone, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

cock a snook

openly show contempt or a lack of respect for someone or something. informal, chiefly British
Literally, if you cock a snook, you place your hand so that your thumb touches your nose and your fingers are spread out, in order to express contempt. Recorded from the late 18th century, the expression's origins are uncertain—as are those of the gesture itself, which occurs under a variety of names and in many countries, the earliest definite mention of it being by Rabelais in 1532 .
See also: cock, snook
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

cock a ˈsnook at somebody/something

(British English, informal)
1 make a rude gesture by putting your thumb to your nose
2 do or say something that shows your lack of respect for somebody/something, especially when you cannot be punished for this: She cocked a snook at her teachers by going to school with her hair dyed purple.
See also: cock, snook, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • cock a snook
  • cock a snook at
  • cock a snook at somebody/something
  • cock a snook at someone/something
  • snoot
  • cock a
  • cock a snoot
  • cock (one's) ear
  • cock your ear
  • cock socket
References in periodicals archive
Asked about Pakistan's pharma industry where 95 percent of the business is being done by generic pharma manufacturers and what role big pharma could play in emerging markets, Snook replied:
Novartis looking to expand healthcare initiatives in Pakistan: Chairman
"There are a lot of things we should work on but we shall review when we reach Nairobi," said Snook.Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Richard Omwela admitted that Kenya was not ready for such a high magnitude championship.
Why Kenya is not ripe for Rugby World Cup
As the sun sets, snook fishermen target the bridge shadowlines created from the overhead lights.
Late Summer Shots
Since Snook is a service dog and covered under laws in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, he will be able to accompany Sara and her family everywhere—from her office, to going on walks, even to bible study.
Custom Trained Diabetic Alert Dog Delivered to Woman with Type 1 Diabetes in Ankeny, IA
After all, Snook tells us, she'd been open with her friends about her abortion, was "unabashedly pro-choice," had talked to her daughter about the birds and the bees "and the fact that women have the right to decide if and when they become mommies."
Why are ardent pro-abortion feminists reluctant to tell their own children about their abortions?
Mummy Snook must have noticed Casey was seldom sundered from her mobile, but was unperturbed.
No-one else to blame for PS4k phone bill
Snook's rise to fame coincided with a growing interest in athletics nationally.
The race that cost a career; Chris Upton decribes how overzealous Victorian sporting authorities banned one of our finest runners - for coming second
"When we came home, we thought we'd like to have a marathon here so we wouldn't have to travel," Snook said.
New event attracting its supporters
"It was awesome, so exciting," said Snook, who volunteered as part of the hurdle and basket crew on the track during the Olympic Trials.
Snook gets sneak peak at greatness
Tries from Will Cave and two from Gary Holmes gave the Nuns control after the break, despite Snook's penalty.
DARLINGTON MP 7 NUNEATON 44
-- Catch data are summarized for common snook, (Centropomus undecimalis) from 1975 through 2004 from the lower Laguna Madre, the only area along the Texas coast where common snook are routinely captured.
Status of the common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in Texas
Harry Snook, 74, returned to South Wales for the first time since he was sent to the mining village of Nantyffyllon, near Bridgend in 1940.
When Harry met Thelma
Picking up where he left off in How Can Man Die Better, Snook continues the story of the January 1879 battle between the British Army and Zulu warriors in South Africa.
Like wolves on the fold; the defence of Rorke's drift
In the Cardiff block of flats where both women lived, Marciana Snook was creating a din by slamming her front door.
SAVAGED
Marciana Snook, 29, chewed the piece of flesh off and then spat it on the floor.
Bingo woman bit off ear in fight