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What does "nose" mean?

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In addition to the idioms beginning with nose, also see brown nose; can't see beyond the end of one's nose; count noses; cut off one's nose; follow one's nose; keep one's nose clean; lead by the nose; look down on (one's nose); no skin off my nose; on the nose; pay through the nose; plain as day (the nose on your face); poke one's nose into; rub someone's nose in it; thumb one's nose; turn up one's nose; under one's nose; win by a nose.

See nose in WNW Idioms

by a nose

by the length of the animal's nose in horse racing, etc.
by a very small margin

count noses

to count the number of people present, voting, etc.

cut off one's nose to spite one's face

to injure one's own interests, in a fit of anger, resentment, etc.

follow one's nose

to go straight forward

have one's nose out of joint

to be irritated, annoyed, frustrated, etc.

lead by the nose

to dominate completely

look down one's nose at

Informal to be disdainful of

nose out

to defeat by a very small margin
to discover, as by smelling

nose over

to turn over on its nose: said of an airplane moving on the ground

on the nose

Slang

that (a specified horse, etc.) will finish first in a race
precisely; exactly

pay through the nose

Informal to pay an unreasonable price

put someone's nose out of joint

to irritate, annoy, frustrate, etc.

rub someone's nose in

Etymology: from the practice, in housebreaking a pet, of rubbing its nose in its urine or feces

Informal to keep reminding someone of something unpleasant, as a mistake made

turn up one's nose at

to sneer at; scorn

under one's (very) nose

in plain view

See nose in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Idioms

on the nose

Exactly; precisely: predicted the final score on the nose.

under (someone's) nose

In plain view: The keys are right under your nose.

down (one's) nose

Informal

With disapproval, contempt, or arrogance: Year-round residents here look down their noses at the summer people.

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nose into

nose in

nose out of joint, have one's

nose out

nose to the grindstone, keep one's

not a bad sort

not a bit

not a Chinaman's chance

not a hope in hell

not a leg to stand on