Cock a snook at somebody/something British old-fashioned informal
To say or do something intentionally to show that you have disrespect for someone or something
Tom cocked a snook at his boss over the strategy.
He got the ticket because of cocking a snook at the traffic regulations.
She cocks a snook at her teachers by going to school late very often.
To show too much respect to higher class people
To go down on one or both of one's knees in order to express respect, awe, penitence, subjection or reverence
To praise, admire, or respect someone or something in a public way
In a humble manner, when taking off the hat and the hat in hand that shows a gesture of respect.
The verb "cock" should be conjugated according to its tense.
'cock a snook at' is not a normal phrase and we know very little about its origin. The first time the phrase was recorded is in Wynne's Diary, 1791:C"They cock snooks at one on every occasion."
To do something in an unusual way
I guess I like to run against the grain in everything I do.