The phrase "thumb one's nose" is a colorful expression that means to show contempt, scorn or disrespect. Similar phrases to this include "flip the bird" which is to make an obscene gesture with one's middle finger, "snub" which is to ignore or reject someone, and "scoff" which is to mock or belittle someone. Additionally, "taunt" means to provoke or insult someone and "deride" means to criticize or make fun of someone. It is important to choose words thoughtfully when conveying a message as the tone and meaning can be affected by the synonyms used.