|
Idiom |
Meaning |
|
A finger in every pie |
If someone has a finger in every pie,
they are involved in many
activities
"For information about the town development project, you should talk to
John Brown. He has a finger in every pie." |
| Get
your fingers burnt |
If you get your fingers burnt, you suffer as a result of an
unsuccessful action and are nervous about trying again.
"He got his fingers so badly burnt in the last elections that
he
decided to withdraw from politics." |
|
Keep
your finger on the pulse |
If you keep your finger on the pulse, you are
constantly aware of
the most recent events or developments.
"A successful investor keeps his
finger on the pulse of international
business." |
|
Keep
your fingers crossed |
If you keep your fingers
crossed, you hope that something will be
successful.
"I'm doing my driving test tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for
me." |
|
Work your fingers to the bone |
A person who works their fingers to
the bone is extremely
hardworking.
"He deserves his success; he worked his fingers to the bone
when he started the business." |
|
All thumbs/all fingers and thumbs |
If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and
do things incorrectly.
"Would you mind wrapping this for me? I'm all fingers and thumbs!" |
|
Five-finger discount |
If somebody gets a five-finger
discount, they take something without
paying. In other words, they steal.
"How could he afford that watch?"
"Who knows - perhaps with a five-finger discount!" |
|
Thumb |
|
Stick out like a sore thumb |
If something sticks out like a sore
thumb, it is very obvious or visible
in an unpleasant way.
"The modern building sticks out like a sore thumb among the old houses." |