Stick one's nose in
Meaning
To interfere or meddle in someone else's affairs without being asked.
Origin
The phrase vividly conjures the image of a curious, perhaps impudent, animal or person physically pushing their snout or face into a space where it doesn't belong. Like a dog nosing into a stranger's bag, the act implies an unsolicited, often unwelcome, investigation or intrusion. This literal, almost visceral image of physical boundary-crossing evolved into a sharp metaphor for meddling in other people's private matters, capturing the invasive nature of such interference in a concise and memorable way, reminding us that some doors are best left un-sniffed.
Examples
- I wish he wouldn't always stick his nose in our conversations.
- She was told not to stick her nose in the private meeting.