hold one's nose
The phrase "hold one's nose" can describe both a physical action to block an unpleasant smell and a figurative action to endure something distasteful.
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Definition
A2General
(literal)To pinch the nostrils closed with fingers, typically to avoid an unpleasant smell.
Example
- She had to hold her nose when passing the garbage dump.
B2General
(figurative, idiomatic)To reluctantly accept or tolerate something unpleasant or distasteful.
Example
- He decided to hold his nose and take the job despite the low pay.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hold one's nose":
turn up one's nosethumb one's nosehold one's breathnose outhold one's peehold one's pisshold one's jawsmell upnose blindstink to high heavenbanana nosehold one's waternose pokesit on one's handsunder someone's nosepowder one's nosesnot upstink upkeep one's head downlead by the nose