1 nose /ˈnoʊz/ noun
plural noses
1 nose
plural noses
Learner's definition of NOSE
[count] : the part of the face or head through which a person or animal smells and breathes
see picture at face
[singular] : the ability to smell things : the sense of smell often used figuratively
: the front end or part of something
usually singular
see picture at airplane
[singular] of wine : a particular smell

as plain as the nose on your face

: very clear or obvious

by a nose

◊ If an animal wins a race by a nose, it wins by a very short distance.

cut off your nose to spite your face

: to do something that is meant to harm someone else but that also harms you

follow your nose

see follow

get up someone's nose

British, informal
: to annoy or irritate (someone)

have your nose in

◊ If you have your nose in a book, magazine, newspaper, etc., you are reading it.

hold your nose

: to hold your nostrils together so that you cannot smell something

keep your nose clean

: to stay out of trouble by behaving well

keep your nose out of

: to avoid becoming involved in (someone else's situation, problem, etc.)

lead someone (around) by the nose

: to completely control a person

look down your nose at

see 1look

nose in the air

◊ If you have your nose in the air, you behave in a way that shows you think you are better than other people.

nose to the grindstone

see grindstone

no skin off my nose

see 1skin

on the nose

: very accurate : done very accurately

pay through the nose

: to pay a very high price

powder your nose

see 2powder

rub someone's nose in

see 1rub

stick/poke your nose in/into

: to get involved in or want information about (something that does not concern you)

thumb your nose at

see 2thumb

turn up your nose

or turn your nose up
: to refuse to take or accept something because it is not good enough
usually + at

under your nose

used to describe something that you fail to see or notice even though you should
2 nose /ˈnoʊz/ verb
noses; nosed; nosing
2 nose
noses; nosed; nosing
Learner's definition of NOSE
[+ object] : to push or move (something) with the nose
always followed by an adverb or preposition, [no object] of an animal : to search for or find something by smelling
always followed by an adverb or preposition : to move forward slowly or carefully
[no object]
[+ object]

nose around

[phrasal verb] also British nose about
nose around/about or nose around/about (something)
: to search for something (such as private or hidden information) in usually a quiet or secret way

nose out

[phrasal verb]
nose (someone or something) out or nose out (someone or something)
: to defeat (someone or something) by a small amount in a race or other competition
: to find (information) by careful searching
Comments & Questions
Comments & Questions
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