sniff at

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to express contempt or dislike for

Example Sentences

But Parris came off after an hour, having struggled to implement England's press and having barely had a sniff at goal.

From BBC

The mere depiction of men lusting after other men, let alone as something to be celebrated, wasn’t anything to sniff at.

From Salon

So in the interest of self-improvement, I open my pack of what look like markers and sniff at them one by one.

From Salon

It was about 8:30 p.m. when the spotted beast appeared and stopped to sniff at mountain lion scat before opening its jaw.

From Los Angeles Times

One woman said she was given something to sniff at his flat which had an "immediate impact" on her, while the other was overly affected by a glass of wine and a few puffs of what she believed was cannabis.

From BBC

Related Words

• belittle 
• deride 
• grin 
• jeer 
• scoff 
• taunt