look down on
To think you are better than someone else and treat them as if they are less important.
Meanings
To think of someone as inferior and treat them with contempt or condescension.
"She grew up wealthy and always looked down on people who hadn't had the same opportunities."
To regard something as unworthy of serious attention or respect.
"Many literary critics used to look down on science fiction as a lesser genre."
Very common in discussions of social class, prejudice, and interpersonal dynamics. Always negative in tone — no one 'looks down on' someone with a positive meaning. Note the literal origin: to look down physically is associated with a position of power or height above someone.
Commonly used with
Forms
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