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 others?

From MarketWatch ● May 15, 2026

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

The main tone of the videos is whiny, as the hosts complain endlessly that career federal employees look down on them.

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2025

I put a blanket around my shoulders and sat in the entrance, in my usual place, where I could lean back against the rock wall and look down on the house.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien