Read idioms and examples about “fingers”. Use the idioms in new sentences with your new words.


Idioms 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.”
 

Not lift a finger

 Someone who does not lift a finger makes no effort to help or provide assistance when it is needed.
“Many people saw the boy falling off his bike but not one of them   lifted a finger.”
 

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!”
 

Rap on the knuckles

 If someone gets a rap on/across the knuckles, they are punished or reprimanded, not very severely, but as a reminder not to do that  again.
“Andy got a rap on the knuckles for coming  home late.”
 

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.”
 

Under your thumb

 If someone is under your thumb, they are completely under your control or influence.
“Nobody ever protests.  He has the whole group under his thumb.”