sniff

olfatear, sorber

Tomar aire brevemente por la nariz, a menudo para oler algo o porque se está resfriado.

En inglés sencillo: To take a short breath through your nose, often to smell something or because you have a cold.

• The dog sniffed my shoes.
• She sniffed the milk to check it.
• He kept sniffing because he had a cold.

Cómo se usa: sniff at something (The puppy sniffed at the unfamiliar food.)

Sinónimos: smell

Expresiones frecuentes: sniff something, sniff the air, sniff at something

desdeñar, menospreciar

Tratar algo como si no tuviera importancia o no mereciera aceptarse.

En inglés sencillo: To treat something as unimportant or not worth accepting.

• Do not sniff at their offer.
• She sniffed at the idea of taking the bus.
• A free holiday is nothing to sniff at.

Cómo se usa: sniff at something (He sniffed at the modest reward.); nothing to sniff at (An extra hundred pounds is nothing to sniff at.)

Sinónimos: dismiss, scorn

Expresiones frecuentes: sniff at something, sniff at an offer

decir entre sollozos

Decir algo sorbiendo por la nariz, mostrando tristeza o desagrado.

En inglés sencillo: To say something while breathing sharply through your nose, showing sadness or dislike.

• “I miss him,” she sniffed.
• “That is hardly impressive,” he sniffed.
• The upset child sniffed that nobody liked her.

Cómo se usa: sniff that… (She sniffed that she wanted to go home.)

Sinónimos: say tearfully

Expresiones frecuentes: sniff a reply, sniff in disgust

olfateo, sorbido

Breve entrada de aire por la nariz, a menudo para oler algo.

En inglés sencillo: A short breath taken through the nose, often to smell something.

• Give the milk a sniff.
• The dog took a sniff of my bag.
• I heard a loud sniff behind me.

Cómo se usa: sniff of something (She took a quick sniff of the perfume.)

Sinónimos: snuffle

Expresiones frecuentes: a quick sniff, give something a sniff, a loud sniff