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Glite Dictionary
to stick your nose into

to stick your nose into

1 8.0
To get involved in other people's business when not wanted
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : meterse en
  • It's not polite to stick your nose into someone else's personal matters.
  • sticking their nose into business

Examples

  • It's none of their business what they wear, absolutely none. This hatred for all that is American has gotten sick and vile. If they handled their internal problems as well as they stick their noses into places it doesn't belong, that would be a good thing.

    Blog text (27)

  • M. Obama and the USDA are a bunch of big government radicals sticking their noses into something that's none of their damn business.

    Blog text (26)

  • So opportunities like that, if you stick your nose into places, turn up.

  • No other administration has stuck their nose into who students should or should not eat; that is why Obama is getting the blame.

    Blog text (26)

  • I am so sick and tired of billionaires and out-of-state groups sticking their noses into CA issues and using their money to influence the outcome of our elections.

    Blog text (8)

  • Sure it's legal in the state, but the federal government will still stick their noses into it because federally it's not legal, and there are ways they can continue to create cash flow by messing with dispensaries and whatnot.

    Blog text (3)

  • She always wants to stick her nose into my affairs, even when I ask her to stay out.

  • If you stick your nose into issues that don't concern you, people may get upset.

Synonyms

to interfere
vsto stick your nose into
487 3.5

To get involved in a situation and make things not work as they should

focuses on unwanted personal involvement rather than disruption effects
to meddle
vsto stick your nose into
80 5.7

To get involved in other people's business and annoy them

is the general term for unwanted involvement, not only annoying acts
to intrude on
vsto stick your nose into
22 4.6

To go into someone's space or life without permission

covers unwanted involvement but is broader than mere entry
to butt in
vsto stick your nose into
  • Informal
21 4.4

Interrupt someone who is speaking without being invited

refers to interfering in affairs more broadly, not just interruptions
to horn in
vsto stick your nose into
  • Informal
5 8.2

To join a conversation or activity without being invited

can be used for any unwanted interference, not only meddlesome acts
to step on someone's toes
vsto stick your nose into
  • Informal
4 6.6

Make someone angry by doing their job or making decisions for them

is broader and not limited to offending or duty encroachment
to poke one's nose into
vsto stick your nose into
  • Informal
1 7.3

To try to take part in other people's business without being asked

is the broader phrase for unwanted involvement
to stick one's nose into
vsto stick your nose into
  • UK
1 7.9

To get involved in other people's business without being asked

has identical meaning but is phrased differently
to pry into someone's business
vsto stick your nose into
  • Informal
1 7.5

To try to find out private things about someone without their permission

is broader, covering any unwanted involvement not only prying questions
to obtrude upon
vsto stick your nose into
8.7

To force yourself into someone's space or attention without being invited

is similar but can be less forceful or physical
to stick one's oar in
vsto stick your nose into
  • Informal
8.6

To get involved in other people's business when they do not ask for help

is the same idea but tends to be more informal and idiomatic
to stick its dick in
vsto stick your nose into
  • Offensive
9.9

To become involved in a messy situation and make it worse

is similar but vulgar and figurative rather than neutral language

Antonyms

to stay out of it
56 3.8

To avoid getting involved in an argument or fight

to mind your own business
  • Informal
35 5.8

Tell someone not to ask about or get involved in other people's lives

How Intrusive

to intrude
105 4.4
to interfere
487 3.5
to stick your nose into
  • Informal
1 8.0
to meddle
80 5.7
to butt in
  • Informal
21 4.4
to pry
66 5.3

Surface Forms

stick your nose into infinitive
sticking your nose into present participle
sticks your nose into third person singular
stuck your nose into past
stuck your nose into past participle

Morphology

stick + your + nose + into

The meaning is a straightforward metaphorical extension of the literal parts: 'stick' (push/insert) + 'nose' (associated with poking into things) + 'into' (entering) clearly conveys intrusion. This image is cross-linguistically common (e.g. 'stick/poke one's nose into') and a B1 learner who knows the constituents will very likely infer the sense 'interfere in someone else's affairs.'

Etymology

Stick your nose into comes from the picture of someone literally sticking their nose into another person's space or things to look or smell. That's why it now means 'to interfere' in matters that are not your business.