take a sight

present singular third person takes a sight · participle present taking a sight · past took a sight · participle past taken a sight

1. Synonym of cock a snook (“perform disrespectful gesture with thumb against the nose”).

   He put his thumb to his nose as he said this and (in familiar phrase) took a sight at me, winking one eye in the most confidential manner, and at the same time gently tapping his breeches pocket.

   1854, The New Monthly Magazine, page 455

   1 more example

   Papa did the best thing he could do under the circumstances: he got up and left us, and as he rose, Lilian put her thumb to her nose, and “took a sight” at him, much to my inward disgust, […]

   1968, Jacky S, Suburban Souls: The Erotic Psychology of a Man and a Maid, page 263

   Synonyms: cock a snook