snook

Everyday

1. «Cock a snook» (UK, old-fashioned) — to make a rude, mocking sign by putting your thumb on your nose and spreading your fingers; also to show open disrespect for someone or a rule. tree →
2. A long, silvery fish of warm seas, caught for food and sport. tree →

In the lessons

In British writing, «cock a snook at» someone means to cheekily defy or mock them, like breaking a silly rule on purpose. Teachers may call the gesture rude. Anglers in the Caribbean and Florida fish for snook.

Examples

• The cheeky boy cocked a snook at the bus driver. tree →
• The little shop cocked a snook at the big supermarket by giving everything away free. tree →
• Thumbing your nose — cocking a snook — is a rude gesture. tree →
• Dad caught a snook on his holiday in Florida. tree →
• The new band cocks a snook at old rules about music. tree →
• The pupils cocked a snook at the rain and played outside anyway. tree →

Note

Rare word; mostly heard in «cock a snook» (here «cock» means «tip up», not a rude word). Another phrase for the gesture: «thumb your nose». Not to be confused with «snooker», the game.