sniff at

verb

1. intr, preposition to express contempt or dislike for

Example Sentences

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

The child of today, spoiled for choice in targeted programming, might sniff at the old shows, but a CGI “Pufnstuf,” which happily no one has proposed, would be all but pointless, and potentially depressing.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

City’s star striker Erling Haaland, meanwhile, was kept quiet throughout and never had a sniff at goal.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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