put the finger on

Related to put the finger on: come in handy, slip through, so much for, give a shot, have a head start, be damned

put the finger on (one)

To identify and accuse one of doing something; to inform on one to an authority figure. Don't you dare put the finger on me! I had nothing to do with the deal going sour. I fear my life is in danger now that I've put the finger on the mob boss.
See also: finger, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put the finger on someone

 and lay the finger on someone
Sl. to accuse someone; to identify someone as the one who did something. Tom put the finger on John, and John is really mad. He'd better not lay the finger on me. I didn't do it.
See also: finger, on, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put the finger on

Inform on, as in The witness put the finger on the defendant. [Slang; c. 1920] Also see put one's finger on.
See also: finger, on, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

put the finger on

inform against someone to the authorities. informal
See also: finger, on, put
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put the finger on

Slang
To inform on: The witness put the finger on the killer.
See also: finger, on, put
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • (one) could use (something)
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • cooking for one
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens