spit in someone's face
Degrading wet insult
To spit in someone's face is to eject saliva at them as a deliberate insult or act of contempt.
The gesture is universally understood as deeply disrespectful—more provocative than words alone: He spit in my face and walked away.
Figuratively, it means to reject or show contempt for something offered in good faith: They spit in the face of our generosity.
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- slap in the faceHumiliating rebuke or rejection
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- dishonorLoss of respect
lose face · taboo · contempt · public shaming · sneer · affront · degradation · slap · personal attack · provocation · fighting words · mock · insult · jeer · shove · act of war · hostility · retaliation
respect and honor
spit in someone's facesalute
Gestural sign of honor
revere · venerate · bow down to · pay homage to · honor