a nose for (something)

a nose for (something)

An intuitive ability to detect or excel at something. I've always been able to learn languages easily. I guess I just have a nose for it. He's got a real nose for determining which way the stock markets are going to shift. Cecilia has always had a nose for business, so I think she would make a fine addition to the team.

See also: for, nose

nose for

A special ability to find or do something others would consider difficult. A good police officer has a nose for finding criminals.

See also: for, nose

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

nose something (out) (onto something)

to drive or push something carefully out onto the surface of something, nose first. I nosed the car out onto the highway, looking both ways. She nosed out the car.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

a nose for something

COMMON If someone has a nose for something, they are naturally good at finding it or recognising it. Smith had taken over the company and although he knew little about music, he had a nose for talent. As a journalist, he never lost his nose for a good story.

See also: for, nose, something

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

nose

verb

See nose candy

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.