thumb

be all fingers and thumbs: seefinger.

hold your thumbs fold your fingers over your thumbs to bring good luck; hope for luck or success. South African

1987Sunday Times (South Africa) They say they are holding thumbs for her and praying that the pregnancy will be trouble-free.

a pricking in your thumbs: seepricking.

rule of thumb: seerule.

stand out like a sore thumb: seesore.

thumb your nose at show disdain or contempt for. Compare with cock a snook (atsnook).

thumbs up (or down) an indication of satisfaction or approval (or of rejection or failure). informal

☞ The thumbs were used to signal approval or disapproval by spectators at a Roman amphitheatre, though they used 'thumbs down' to signify that a beaten gladiator had performed well and should be spared, and 'thumbs up' to call for his death.

twiddle your thumbs: seetwiddle.

under someone's thumb completely under someone's influence or control.