spit at

spit at (someone or something)

1. Literally, to propel saliva from one's mouth in the direction of someone or something. Someone in the crowd spat at the policeman as he tried to calm them down. We sat on the overpass, spitting at the cars driving underneath.
2. To treat someone or something with scorn, contempt, or disregard. I trusted you with my secrets, then you spit at me by going up on the witness stand to testify against me! I always feel like I need to go out and give 100% of my effort and energy whenever I perform on stage. Anything less, and it feels like I'm spitting at all the devoted fans who came to see me.
See also: spit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spit at someone or something

to expectorate on someone or something or in the direction of someone or something. The angry crowd cursed and spit at the prisoner as he was being taken back to jail. Max actually spit at the police station door as he was dragged in.
See also: spit
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • attend to
  • a stranger to (someone or something)
  • accompany (one) on a/(one's) journey
  • accompany on a journey
  • be out of (one's) league
  • be out of somebody's league
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • bargain
  • bargain for (someone or something) with (someone)
  • brief (someone) about (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
"The message to anybody who is tempted to spit at or bite a brave police officer is just don't do it, and if you do you will be held responsible for the consequences."
This week the force unveiled the fine mesh masks which will be placed over the faces of people who spit at or try to bite officers.
Although no one saw actual spittle, testimony from three witnesses who saw and heard the defendant spit at two law enforcement officers was sufficient to support her convictions for assaulting the officers by spitting at them.<br />Background<br />King William County Sheriff's Deputies K.
I had to dig deep but remembered that it was probably when I was about 13 and was having an argument with my younger brother, who, after a certain level of provocation (he would claim), then decided to spit at me.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has hit the headlines for appearing to spit at a Manchester United fan following Liverpool's defeat at Old Trafford.
"I was at the game and let me tell you something, Jonny Evans did not spit at the player - the other player (Cisse) thought he had spat at him and he spat at Jonny Evans.
But Evans, who has until 6pm today to respond to the accusation, said: "I would like to make it clear I did not spit at Papiss Cisse."
Manchester United defender Evans yesterday issued a statement pleading his innocence and insisted he did not spit at Cisse.
(The glob forms when the faster water toward the end of the stream catches up with the slower spit at the leading edge.)
She kicked one of the officers in the leg, refused to calm down and tried to bite and spit at them, forcing them to put limb restraints on her.
BUS drivers have been handed mini DNA kits to help bring louts who spit at them to justice.
And Coun Kath Hartley, vice chairman of Centro, added: "Although spitting is rare we remain determined to tackle it and our message to would be offenders is simple - spit at drivers or passengers and you will be caught, DNA doesn't lie."
Bus drivers in the West Midlands have been provided with mini DNA kits to assist police in tracking people that spit at the drivers or fellow passengers.
Frustrated festive shoppers who spit at shop assistants and taxi drivers could be charged with assault, police have warned.
Bob Carolgees with Spit at his Cheshire candle shop in 2002 Picture: CLIFF BRETT