thumb nose

thumb (one's) nose at (someone or something)

1. Literally, to perform a rude gesture in which one touches their nose with their thumb in order to express contempt or a lack of respect. Did that guy really just thumb his nose at me? Do people still do that?
2. To openly display contempt or an intentional lack of respect toward someone or something. Don't thumb your nose at the boss if you want to keep your job!
See also: nose, thumb
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

thumb (one's) nose

To express scorn or ridicule, often by placing the thumb on the nose and wiggling the fingers.
See also: nose, thumb
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • the finger
  • a guy thing
  • two fingers
References in periodicals archive
It's those voices, after all, that go out of their way to thumb noses at authority or trigger outrage.
A fiscal chill blows across the sharpest edge of satire: words of support for creative freedom sound nice, but the proof will be in the producing