2cock verb
cocks; cocked; cock·ing [+ obj] 1 : to pull back the hammer of (a gun) to get ready to shoot
▪ He cocked the pistol/weapon. 2 : to pull or bend back (something) to get ready to throw or hit a ball
▪ The quarterback was tackled just as he cocked his arm to throw the ball. ▪ The hitter stood with the bat cocked, waiting for a pitch. 3 : to turn, tip, or raise (part of your body or face) upward or to one side
▪ He cocked his head to one side. ▪ She cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. ▪ The dog sat with one ear cocked. ◊If you cock an ear/eye or cock your ear/eye, you listen to or look at someone or something with a lot of attention.
▪ If the politicians would cock an ear to/toward what voters are saying, they'd realize that the new law isn't working. 4 : to move (a hat) so that it is tilted on your head
▪ His hat was cocked to one side.
▪ He cocked the pistol/weapon.
▪ The quarterback was tackled just as he cocked his arm to throw the ball. ▪ The hitter stood with the bat cocked, waiting for a pitch.
▪ He cocked his head to one side. ▪ She cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. ▪ The dog sat with one ear cocked. ◊If you cock an ear/eye or cock your ear/eye, you listen to or look at someone or something with a lot of attention.
▪ If the politicians would cock an ear to/toward what voters are saying, they'd realize that the new law isn't working.
▪ His hat was cocked to one side.
cock a snook at
Brit, informal : to show that you do not respect or value (something)
▪ He never misses a chance to cock a snook at [=thumb his nose at] modern art.
▪ He never misses a chance to cock a snook at [=thumb his nose at] modern art.
cock up
[phrasal verb] Brit, informal 1 : to make a mistake : to do something incorrectly
▪ Someone had cocked up [=screwed up, messed up] badly, and the party was a disaster. 2 cock up (something) or cock (something) up : to make mistakes in doing or making (something)
▪ Someone had cocked up [=screwed up, messed up] the arrangements. — see also cock-up
▪ Someone had cocked up [=screwed up, messed up] badly, and the party was a disaster.
▪ Someone had cocked up [=screwed up, messed up] the arrangements. — see also cock-up
— see also half-cocked
