scoff at

scoff at (someone or something)

To dismiss something with scorn, ridicule, or derision. The CEO scoffed at the backlash, confident that those complaining were nothing but a vocal minority. They scoffed at me when I warned them of the disastrous fault in the system, but now they're seeing just how right I was.
See also: scoff
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

scoff at someone or something

to show ridicule or scorn for someone or something. The directors scoffed at her when she presented her plan. They scoffed at my new hat, not realizing how stylish it was.
See also: scoff
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • scoff
  • scoff at (someone or something)
  • catch a tiger by the tail
  • the blame for (something)
  • be nothing to (one)
  • be/mean nothing to somebody
  • blame for
  • blame for (something)
  • blamed
  • crush it
References in periodicals archive
He chides those who scoff at her small sacrifices (such as folding the mantles that the other sisters had forgotten) as "spiritual snobs!"
Spiritual Childhood: the Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux
There are, of course, many good Americans who would scoff at this assessment, despite recognizing the danger.
A call to action
BAT officials scoff at the notion that tobacco is anywhere near as serious as the many other challenges facing Africa.
Can Africa kick the habit? (Health)
While some may scoff at their optimistic approach to empowering wayward teens, DeJesus and Dolphin are letting the numbers speak for themselves.
Youth movement: firm provides research, training for teen programs. (Making It)
As Fred will probably recall, I was among the first to scoff at both of those models and never participated in either, but we traditional print publishers should not infer too much from their demise.
Print will not be the rocket fuel that propels our growth engines. (To the editor)
PEOPLE scoff at having a punt in the Lincoln but it is still in the top 20 betting races of the year, so after scoffing they must nip down the bookies and have a few quid.
Racing: In with a Reel shout
Today, with Communism defeated or in retreat nearly everywhere, it is easy to scoff at the rack of dominos.
VIETNAM: The Necessary War
His jaunty description of preparing lamb shish kebab with mint sauce while camping is just the sort of thing some of his subjects would scoff at. Even so, he seems earnestly interested in their fate.
Lasso the Wind: Away to the New West
Wall Street now permeates our industry; it is a force that we need to work with and embrace, not scoff at for misunderstanding our business.
And now for a word from the private sector...
LOVE THE CAR, LA We trust none of his Porsche and Ferrari-driving team-mates will scoff at young Wayne Rooney's new motor.
Football: SHOTS - OUR PICS OF THE WEEK
We can't afford to continue employing people who scoff at the Holy Father, we can't continue to endure in-fighting and dissent within our parish liturgies and programs.
Help (not) wanted who's on the parish payroll?
And to those who scoff at asking Mary and the saints to plead our cause rather than appealing to God directly, this same commentator, Marice Boulding, offers the witness of the Old Testament:
Pray, for God's sake
And before you scoff at the possibility of an amateur speed freak being lent such a precious machine, it's only fair to point out that Lambo's marketing manager is a close personal friend of Nic's.
3am: Nic has a Diablo dream