turn up one's nose UK /ˌtɜːn‿ʌp wʌnz ˈnəʊz/US /ˌtɜɹn‿ʌp wʌnz ˈnoʊz/ verb3 •To tilt one's face upwards slightly, thus raising one's nose, and often to look downwards at someone, as a sign of contempt, disgust, or scorn.'Not like that!' He shouted. The actors paused, their arms hanging limply by their sides, while Fontan turned up his nose and asked with a sneer: 'What do you mean? What's not like that?' — 1972 •To refuse something offered, especially with contempt, disgust, or scorn, or with apparent disregard about offending the offerer.I tried to help, but they turned up their noses at my advice. •To regard or treat someone with contempt or scorn; to scorn; also, to disregard or ignore someone in a contemptuous or scornful way.[A] Man must be nice indeed, that turns up his Nose at a VVoman, vvho has no vvorse Imperfection, than setting too great a Value upon her Understanding. — 1721 formsturned up one's nose · turning up one's nose · turns up one's nose