[General] bite (snap) somebody’s nose off

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me your opinion concerning the interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

“Pray, sir,” returned Mrs. Sparsit, “do not bite my nose off.”
“Bite your nose off, madam!” repeated Mr. Bounderby. “Your nose,” meaning, as Mrs. Sparsit conceived, that it was too developed a nose for the purpose. (Ch. Dickens, “Hard Times”)

Do you ever snap people’s noses off, pr tell them you think them very foolish? (Th. Hughes, “Tom Brown at Oxford”)

bite (snap) somebody’s nose off = show one’s teeth, ca; over the coals, answer harshly and bluntly

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[Rover_KE]

I've only ever heard 'bite somebody's nose off'.

It's something you could literally do (if they'd keep still long enough). But you couldn't snap their nose off.

Rover

 

[riquecohen]

I've only ever heard 'bite somebody's nose off'.

It's something you could literally do (if they'd keep still long enough). But you couldn't snap their nose off.

Rover

I've also heard "bite somebody's head off."