finger as

finger (one) as (someone)

To identify someone as having had a particular role in something. If they have security cameras, they'll definitely be able to finger us as the thieves!
See also: finger
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

finger someone as someone

Sl. to identify someone as a certain person. (As if one were pointing a finger at someone.) Max fingered his partner as the gunman. The accountant fingered the bookkeeper as the one who fixed the books.
See also: finger
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • finger (one) as (someone)
  • finger someone as someone
  • point at
  • fled
  • flee
  • flee from
  • flee from (someone or something)
  • twist/wind around one's little finger, to
  • give someone the finger
  • give someone/something the finger
References in classic literature
He tried it on his left hand; it fit his finger as if made for it.
Three Musketeers
"I wonder whether it would condescend to alight on such a great clumsy finger as mine?
Mosses From An Old Manse and other stories
Move the right hand little finger as you say, "Mooooo."
Shadow figures
Children with a ring finger as long as their index finger were better with numbers, while those with a shorter ring finger proved to be more adept at literacy exams.
THE FINGERS THAT POINT TO GOOD EXAM RESULTS; A handy way to predict English or maths ability
For instance, he wonders whether, if two rods were placed on a finger as researchers somehow induced the illusion that the finger was expanding, the perceived distance between the rods would expand proportionately.
Fickle finger's funny feel: digit illusion modifies touch perception
Address large stretches between the thumb and fifth finger as well as stretches between inner fingers of the hand, such as full first inversion chords and seventh chords.
Strategies for small-handed pianists