# 嗤之以鼻

chī zhī yǐ bí

Dismiss something with contempt

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Snort at it through the nose

**Register:** Dismissive · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe scornful rejection of an idea or person.

Shows disdain, not a reasoned rebuttal.

## Understanding the expression

A snort replaces a serious reply, making contempt visible without much explanation. Modern use describes rejecting a claim, suggestion, or behavior as unworthy of consideration. The tone is strongly dismissive. It may reveal confidence, but does not prove that the rejected idea is wrong. A clear argument is usually more useful than scorn, especially when another person offered a suggestion sincerely or when the facts remain uncertain and deserve further examination.

## Examples

他对这种承诺嗤之以鼻。

### Traditional Chinese

他對這種承諾嗤之以鼻。

tā duì zhè zhǒng chéng nuò chī zhī yǐ bí 。

He scoffs at such promises.

别对新人的建议嗤之以鼻。

### Traditional Chinese

別對新人的建議嗤之以鼻。

bié duì xīn rén de jiàn yì chī zhī yǐ bí 。

Do not dismiss the newcomer's suggestion contemptuously.

她对虚假的宣传嗤之以鼻。

### Traditional Chinese

她對虛假的宣傳嗤之以鼻。

tā duì xū jiǎ de xuān chuán chī zhī yǐ bí 。

She scorns the false publicity.

专家没有嗤之以鼻，而是逐项解释。

### Traditional Chinese

專家沒有嗤之以鼻，而是逐項解釋。

zhuān jiā méi yǒu chī zhī yǐ bí ， ér shì zhú xiàng jiě shì 。

The expert explained each point instead of scoffing.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%97%A4%E4%B9%8B%E4%BB%A5%E9%BC%BB)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=351&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [赤子之心 chì zǐ zhī xīn Sincere, innocent goodwill ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chi-zi-zhi-xin)

- [充耳不闻 chōng ěr bù wén Refuse to listen ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chong-er-bu-wen)

- [出尔反尔 chū ěr fǎn ěr Go back on one's word ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-er-fan-er)

- [出言不逊 chū yán bù xùn Speak rudely or disrespectfully ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-yan-bu-xun)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 乘风破浪 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/cheng-feng-po-lang) [Next idiom 持之以恒 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chi-zhi-yi-heng)