English, baby!

thumb their nose

Date: Sep 21 2006

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

”...there must be consequences if people thumb their nose at the United Nations Security Council.”

United States President George W. Bush talking about the role of the UN in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon.

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

disrespect; reject; scorn; ignore

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

President Bush means that there must be consequences for those who do not adhere to the rules of the UN. He is saying that the UN must be respected.

If someone disrespects you, you can say that person is thumbing their nose at you.

If you tell someone you are sad and they laugh at you, you can say they are thumbing their nose at you.

If you tell your boss you are ill and she says you have to work anyway, your boss is thumbing her nose at you.

If you ask your neighbors to turn the music down, and they turn it up, they are thumbing their noses at you.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

“Is President Bush thumbing his nose at the environment by not signing the Kyoto Treaty?”

“When the cop said to get off the sidewalk, the skateboarder just thumbed his nose at him and kept going.”

“Don’t thumb your nose at me. I asked you to do something. Now do it!”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

	people put shame on un by bijo
	scorn by Ana_15
	don't have respect by Ana_15
	Thumbing the nose means the lack of respect toward someone or something. by Nataliaaf
	I think that it means somebody look down on someshing.somebody don't take serious on something. by pfpuff
	The meaning is to show that someone does not respect the rules and laws. by laoamy
	Make fun at, don't take seriously by Lindsay
	"Thumb your nose at something" means you give your ideas about something or somebody's affairs and your ideas is not welcomed by oceangirl05
	showing thst you don't respect rules,laws aomething like that by Y.Furu
	He means some people are makeing fun and deride of th UN by rehab_gad2000
	refuse to obey orders or do any work by Belizza