nose something ↔ out phrasal verb informal (see also nose)

1. to discover some information that someone else does not want you to discover:
The media always manage to nose out some interesting facts about a politician’s past life.

2. to defeat someone by a very small amount in a race, competition etc

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

nose out
to push someone away, to exclude someone
The famous basketball player nosed out the other players to win the award for the best player in the league.

The older boy nosed the younger boy out of the line.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

nose out
v., informal
1. To learn by effort (something private or secret); uncover.
The principal nosed out the truth about the stolen examination.
2. To defeat by a nose length; come in a little ahead of in a race or contest.
The horse we liked nosed out the second horse in a very close finish.
The Democratic candidate nosed out his rival for Congress by a few hundred votes.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲