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3. look down on

look down on

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look down on somebody/something

to consider someone or something as not important or of value look down your nose at somebody/something “A lot of people look down on us because we're homeless,” she says.

See also: down, look, on

look down on

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.

See also: down, look, on