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.

---

Example Sentences

Those who wince at the idea of a blue-collar career change don’t necessarily look down on people who work with their hands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

"Maybe the opponent sometimes can be condescending, to look down on you," he said.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025

These are clowns, these are people who are ridiculous because they want so desperately to be welcomed by the very people who look down on them.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2024

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

From Salon • Nov. 11, 2024

I liked being able to look down on the park and the rest of the city, and I liked visiting my giant saguaro.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling