thumb through
Related to thumb through: under someone's thumb, like a sore thumb
thumb through (something)
To casually peruse or look at the pages in a book, magazine, or other reading material without much attention or scrutiny. I thumbed through the sports section while waiting at the doctor's office, but I was too nervous to pay attention to it. I thumbed through your proposal, and even at first glance I can tell you that it won't be approved by the board.
See also: through, thumb
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
thumb through something
and leaf through somethingto look through a book, magazine, or newspaper, without reading it carefully. I've only thumbed through this book, but it looks very interesting. I leafed through a magazine while waiting to see the doctor.
See also: through, thumb
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
thumb through
v.
To go through some reading material quickly or superficially, turning from page to page with or as if with the thumb: I thumbed through the directory for my dentist's phone number.
See also: through, thumb
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- thumb through (something)
- leaf through
- leaf through (something)
- flip through
- flip through (something)
- glance through
- glance through (something)
- flick through
- flick through (something)
- browse through (something)