three-finger salute

three-finger salute

The computer keystroke control-alt-delete, commonly used to force programs to close or the computer to restart. (A jocular play on the expression "one-finger salute," referring to the raising of the middle finger, a rude gesture commonly known as "the finger.") This computer is so janky that I have to give it the three-finger salute pretty much every day.
See also: salute
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a three-finger salute

and TFS
n. & comp. abb. The keyboard keys Control, Alternate, Delete pressed at the same time when a program fails under the Windows operating system. (This is a play on one-finger salute, the digitus impudicus.) I had to give the TFS twice before the program would run.
See also: salute
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a three-finger salute
  • TF
  • TFS
  • log off
  • boot up
  • bootstrap
  • bare metal
  • metal
  • log into
  • reboot
References in periodicals archive
These offenses range from wearing red, which is the color of followers of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as well as his sister Yingluck who was elected in 2011; to flashing the three-finger salute that figures in the movie franchise The Hunger Games that has come to be associated with rebellion; to reading George Orwell's novel 1984.
Explaining tourism numbers
Pro-democracy lawmakers and media magnate Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, sat near the People's Liberation Army base and adopted the three-finger salute used in the film Hunger Games against totalitarian rule.
Hong Kong police haul protesters away as camp site is dismantled
While on the run he urged followers to stage peaceful public demonstrations, flashing the three-finger salute from "The Hunger Games" films that has become a symbol of defiance against the junta.
Thai anti-coup leader may face long jail sentence
Protests linger, including the three-finger salute imitated from the Hollywood movie "The Hunger Games." Australia has barred junta leaders from travel, the United States abandoned a military deal with Thailand, and the United Nations encouraged the military government to end censorship; nevertheless, the Thai Junta tries to encourage favorable perceptions of the coup and remains adamant that the soldiers are friends of the public.
Thai Junta Claims Support From China, Vietnam Amid Western Unease
Reader Helen Donnell, CPA, CMA, of Orlando, Florida, suggests a much better way to close down interfering programs: Use the infamous "three-finger salute" (Ctrl+Alt+ Delete).
Technology Q&A
Andy Cole gave a three-finger salute to his critics with a brilliant treble in United's savaging of poor Barnsley.
7; COLE OF THE MONTH
New emojis: The three-finger salute invented and popularised by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
'My new emoji wish list'