put the finger on (one)

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 someone

If you put the finger on someone, you tell someone in authority that they have done something wrong or blame them for something bad. A lot of people will point to the defeat and put the finger on the head coach. Their report put the finger on diesel pollution.
See also: finger, on, put, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

put the finger on

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

put the finger on someone

tv. to identify someone (for someone else, such as the police). (Underworld.) Tyrone put the finger on the killer, then got out of town fast.
See also: finger, on, put, someone
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

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