Introduction 🌸
“Not to be dismissed”: This term, which evokes the image of haughtily turning up one’s nose at something to express contempt, dates back to the early nineteenth century. Sir Walter Scott used it charmingly in a letter from 1813 while discussing a not-insignificant sum of money: “As I am situated, £300 or £400 a year is not to be sneezed at.”
Related Terms:
- Turning up one’s nose: To show disdain or contempt.
- Thumb one’s nose: A more physical gesture of derision.
- Turn a deaf ear: To deliberately ignore or refuse to listen.
Common Synonyms:
- Worth considering
- Valuable
- Important
Antonyms:
- To be dismissed
- Worthless
- Inconsequential
Similar Expressions 📝
- Turn a blind eye: To ignore intentionally, originally referring to Admiral Nelson using his blind eye to look away from signals to withdraw from a battle.
- Brush off: To dismiss a person or idea as unworthy of consideration.
- Below the salt: Historically referring to seating arrangements, where those “below the salt” were of lesser importance at a table.
Humorous Take 🤪
“A hundred bucks might not be worth sneezing at, but remember, it’s not enough to buy a nose-flute!” 🌬️
Literature & Pop Culture References 📚
-
Books:
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Masterfully navigating societal values, a good fortune can never be sneezed at.
- “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens: Opportunities that may seem humble can often be golden.
-
Songs:
- “Money” by Pink Floyd: While grand in its satire, it hints that wealth isn’t to be sneezed at.
- “She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer: Reinforcing the value of hard work and its due reward.
-
Movies:
- “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006): Emphasizes that resilience and opportunities are not to be sneezed at.
- “Cinderella Man” (2005): The tale of overcoming odds to claim what’s rightfully valued.
Quizzes 🎉
### Which phrase suggests showing contempt?
- [x] Turning up one's nose
- [ ] Crossing your fingers
- [ ] Hitting the hay
- [ ] Catching forty winks
> **Explanation:** "Turning up one's nose" explicitly indicates showing disdain or contempt, unlike the other more positive idioms.
### True or False: 'Not to be sneezed at' means something insignificant.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False, it actually means something valuable or worthy of attention.
### Which idiom expresses refusal or ignoring?
- [ ] Sweeping promises under the browser tab
- [x] Turn a deaf ear
- [ ] Juggling the elephant in the room
- [ ] Bathing in twilight whispers
> **Explanation:** "Turn a deaf ear" means to deliberately ignore someone or something.
### Which idiom indicates dismissal or lack of importance?
- [x] Brush off
- [ ] Strike while the iron is hot
- [ ] Build castles in the air
- [ ] Let the cat out of the bag
> **Explanation:** "Brush off" clearly means to dismiss or consider unimportant.
### In which famous literary work was 'not to be sneezed at' subtly implied through the societal importance of wealth?
- [ ] Moby Dick
- [x] Pride and Prejudice
- [ ] Harry Potter
- [ ] The Great Gatsby
> **Explanation:** "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen navigates societal values and hints that a good fortune can never be sneezed at.
Farewell Thought 🌟
May your journey through words remind you that wisdom, much like a hidden gem, is often found in phrases and expressions not to be sneezed at. Keep exploring, keep questioning, and never stop at just the surface.
— Eloise Wordsmith, 2023
