cock a snook

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Thumb one's nose, as in As soon as the teacher turned her back, the boys cocked a snook at her . This expression was first recorded in 1791 and the precise source of snook , here used in the sense of “a derisive gesture,” has been lost. It is more widely used in Britain but is not unknown in America.

Word of the Day

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

cockapoo cockatiel

Browse