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

“I don’t look down on any style of play,” Lloyd said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026

The Romans look down on him, even as he does their bidding.

From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2025

When addressing someone they look down on or are disrespecting, the Yautja use wul, while someone they respect would be addressed as dau.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2025

Probably Mrs. Willard's simultaneous interpreter would be short and ugly and I would come to look down on him in the end the way I looked down on Buddy Willard.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath