Idioms containing THUMB
TOP words in categories
ALL THUMBS
uncoordinated and awkward, especially with one’s hands
1. I’ve tried to put this toy together according to the instructions, but I’m all thumbs. I can’t seem to get the parts to fit.
2. Peter seems to be all thumbs today. He keeps dropping his tools.
2. Peter seems to be all thumbs today. He keeps dropping his tools.
GREEN THUMB
natural ability to grow plants
1. Amy really has a green thumb. Everything she plants in her garden grows so well.
2. You must have quite a green thumb. Your flowers are always so beautiful and healthy-looking.
2. You must have quite a green thumb. Your flowers are always so beautiful and healthy-looking.
HITCH/THUMB A RIDE
to solicit a ride in someone’s (a stranger’s) car; to hitchhike
1. Julian had no car, but he needed to visit his mother in the hospital in another town, so he hitched a ride.
2. The boys had no way to get to the beach, about 60 miles away. They decided to stand by the side of the highway and thumb a ride.
2. The boys had no way to get to the beach, about 60 miles away. They decided to stand by the side of the highway and thumb a ride.
RULE OF THUMB
a rough guide; an unwritten or customary rule based on experience or practice
1. In this company there is no written rule about how long we can take for our lunch break, but the rule of thumb has been about one hour.
2. Sometimes it’s hard to know how you are supposed to address people you are meeting for the first time. A good rule of thumb is to be formal and wait until they invite you to call them by their first names.
2. Sometimes it’s hard to know how you are supposed to address people you are meeting for the first time. A good rule of thumb is to be formal and wait until they invite you to call them by their first names.
STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB
not to blend in; to be obvious and prominent or easily seen
1. John said he planned to wear shorts and a sweatshirt to the wedding, but I told him it would be completely inappropriate. I told him he would stick out like a sore thumb and everyone would notice him.
2. The paintings of the modern artists stuck out like a sore thumb in the classical art museum. They just didn’t belong there, grouped together with the old masters.
2. The paintings of the modern artists stuck out like a sore thumb in the classical art museum. They just didn’t belong there, grouped together with the old masters.
TURN (SMTH.) THUMBS DOWN/UP
to vote yes or no to smth.
1. I presented my idea to the boss but he didn’t like it at all. He turned it thumbs down.
2. They really liked the advertising campaign and gave it their whole-hearted approval. They gave it the thumbs up.
2. They really liked the advertising campaign and gave it their whole-hearted approval. They gave it the thumbs up.
TWIDDLE YOUR THUMBS
to do nothing, usually while you are waiting for smth. to happen
1. I arrived early for the meeting so I was twiddling my thumbs for half an hour.
2. She put me on hold and left me to twiddle my thumbs for ten minutes until she got back to me.
2. She put me on hold and left me to twiddle my thumbs for ten minutes until she got back to me.
UNDER (SOMEONE'S) THUMB
under someone’s control
1. Don’t ask Margie to make a change in our work schedule; she won’t do anything without Larry’s permission. She’s under Larry’s thumb.
2. Those two young people will never be allowed to make their own decisions or lead their own lives. Their mother will always control them. They will always be under their mother’s thumb.
2. Those two young people will never be allowed to make their own decisions or lead their own lives. Their mother will always control them. They will always be under their mother’s thumb.
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