鼻先
Meanings
1
tip of the nose
Only when written 鼻先
Refers specifically to the physical tip of the nose.
The dog pushed the door with the tip of its nose.
2
right in front of one; under one's nose
Only when written 鼻先
Used for something happening or placed very close to one's face or immediate vicinity, often with a nuance of surprise or annoyance.
The door was shut right in his face.
The culprit escaped right under the police's nose.
3
Extended use for the tip or end of a long, narrow object, such as a peninsula or a tool. Less common than the nose-related senses.
A lighthouse stands at the tip of the cape.
Usage patterns
- 〈物・事〉が鼻先にあるfor something to be right under one's nose
The opportunity was right under my nose, but I didn't notice it.
- 〈人〉の鼻先で〈動詞〉to do something right in front of someone's face
He shut the door right in my face.
- 鼻先が触れるfor the tips of noses to touch (extreme closeness)
The two of them talked so close that their noses almost touched.
Expressions
- 鼻先で笑うlaugh scornfully; sneer at