look down on

Idioms  

1. Also, look down one's nose at. Regard with contempt or condescension, consider oneself superior to. For example, When it comes to baking, Beth is a purist—she looks down on anyone who uses a mix, or Seniors have a way of looking down their noses at juniors. The first expression dates from about 1700, the second from about 1900.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

look down on

Why do wealthy retirees look down on those with less savings?

From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026

Do you look down on huge planes and boats and Beyoncé birthday parties?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

The UK's never going to attract world-class talent if all we do is look down on the contest and approach it with a defeatist attitude.

From BBC ● May 17, 2025

Archie’s inclination is to look down on everyone else; Laszlo’s first reaction is always curiosity.

From Salon ● Nov. 11, 2024

We can look down on the incoming students, those who are still mere children as we were once.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood