hold up to scorn

hold (someone or something) up to scorn

To reject or deride someone or something. I know Gloria—she'll definitely hold you up to scorn if you go to her black-tie event in anything but a tux. Hey, don't hold me up to scorn as if you've never made a mistake! He's your brother—of course he's going to hold you up to scorn for the dumbest things.

See also: hold, scorn, to, up

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

hold someone or something up to scorn

Fig. to single out someone or something for repudiation. The entire crowd held Randy up to scorn for his part in the riot. The disappointed fans held up the losing team to scorn.

See also: hold, scorn, to, up

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