nose idioms list
Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the body part ‘nose’. Then have a nosey at the pictures below and see what you can learn.
- cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face
meaning – perform a vengeful act that hurts oneself more than another person
example – Lisa stopped me seeing the kids, she cut off her nose to spite her face. Now she has no free time to spend with her new boyfriend. - have one’s nose in a book
meaning – people who love and always seem to be reading
example – I don’t mind long journeys; I’ll just have my nose in a good book. - keep one’s nose clean
meaning – stay out of trouble, behave
example – Lewis has kept his nose clean since becoming a father. - keep one’s nose to the grindstone
meaning – continuously work hard
example – You’ve kept your nose to the grindstone all year. You deserve a juicy bonus. - no skin off one’s nose
meaning – you don’t care if something happens or not
example – It’s no skin off my nose if you don’t pass your finals. - nosedive
meaning – rapidly begin to fail/decrease
example – Our profits have nosedived in the last quarter. We’re in trouble. - pay through the nose
meaning – pay way too much
example – We paid through the nose for our house renovation. - poke/stick one’s nose in
meaning – interfere in someone else’s business
example – My parents have poked their noses in once too often. I’m moving far away from them. - powder one’s nose
meaning – go to the toilet (usually for women)
example – Are you going to powder your nose again? What’s wrong with you! - turn one’s nose up at something
meaning – refuse something
example – I want to buy my nan a ticket to the opera, but I think she will turn her nose up at it. - under one’s nose
meaning – directly in front of you
example – The thief stole the jumper from right under the security guard’s nose. - win by a nose
meaning – win by a very narrow margin
example – I demand a recount, he won by a nose, it’s not fair.
nose idioms list with pictures
Here’s some real life picture examples.
You can download a table of ‘nose’ idioms and expressions below.
If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more body idioms by clicking on the links below.
