Finger Idioms

Finger idioms are a fascinating aspect of the English language. They are commonly used in everyday conversation and can add depth and humor to our interactions. From pointing fingers to crossing fingers, these idioms are a reflection of our cultural beliefs and experiences.

List of Finger Idioms

Finger Idioms
Finger Idioms – Created by 7ESL
  • Burn one’s fingers
  • Cross one’s fingers
  • Finger in every pie
  • Finger in the air
  • Finger in the cookie jar
  • Finger in the pie
  • Finger in the till
  • Finger in the wind
  • Finger on the pulse
  • Finger on the scale
  • Finger on the trigger
  • Finger-Pointing
  • Green fingers
  • Have a Finger in Every Pie
  • Have a finger in the till
  • Keep One’s Fingers Crossed
  • Keep/ Have Your Fingers on the Pulse
  • Lay a finger on
  • Not Lift a Finger
  • Point the Finger At
  • Point the finger
  • Put one’s finger on it
  • Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)
  • Work One’s Fingers to the Bone

Finger Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Burn one’s fingers

  • Meaning: To suffer a loss or failure due to one’s own actions.
  • Example: “He invested all his savings in the stock market and burnt his fingers when the market crashed.”

Cross one’s fingers

  • Meaning: To hope for good luck or success.
  • Example: “I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll pass my driving test.”

Finger in every pie

  • Meaning: To be involved in many different things or projects.
  • Example: “She has a finger in every pie, from running a business to volunteering at a charity.”

Finger in the air

  • Meaning: A guess or estimate that is not based on any facts or evidence.
  • Example: “I don’t know how much it will cost, but I’ll just put my finger in the air and say $50.”

Finger in the cookie jar

  • Meaning: To be caught doing something wrong or illegal.
  • Example: “The company’s CEO was caught with his finger in the cookie jar, embezzling funds from the company.”

Finger in the pie

  • Meaning: To be involved or have a stake in something.
  • Example: “He has a finger in the pie when it comes to the company’s decision-making process.”

Finger in the till

  • Meaning: To steal money from one’s employer.
  • Example: “The cashier was caught with her finger in the till, stealing money from the cash register.”

Finger in the wind

  • Meaning: To be indecisive or hesitant about making a decision.
  • Example: “The politician was accused of having his finger in the wind, waiting to see which way public opinion would sway before making a decision.”

Finger on the pulse

  • Meaning: To be aware of the latest trends or developments in a particular field.
  • Example: “As a journalist, it’s important to have your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the world.”

Finger on the scale

  • Meaning: To unfairly influence a decision or outcome.
  • Example: “The judge was accused of having his finger on the scale, favoring one side over the other.”

Finger on the trigger

  • Meaning: To be ready to take action or make a decision.
  • Example: “As soon as we get the green light, we’ll have our finger on the trigger and start the project.”

Finger-Pointing

  • Meaning: Accusing someone of being responsible for a problem.
  • Example: “Instead of finger-pointing, we need to work together to find a solution to this problem.”

Green fingers

  • Meaning: To have a talent for gardening or growing plants.
  • Example: “She has green fingers and can make any plant thrive.”

Have a Finger in Every Pie

  • Meaning: To be involved in many different things or projects.
  • Example: “He has a finger in every pie, from running a business to volunteering at a charity.”

Have a finger in the till

  • Meaning: To steal money from one’s employer.
  • Example: “The cashier was caught with her finger in the till, stealing money from the cash register.”

Keep One’s Fingers Crossed

  • Meaning: To hope for good luck or success.
  • Example: “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get the job.”

Keep/ Have Your Fingers on the Pulse

  • Meaning: To be aware of the latest trends or developments in a particular field.
  • Example: “As a journalist, it’s important to keep your fingers on the pulse of what’s happening in the world.”

Lay a finger on

  • Meaning: To touch or harm someone.
  • Example: “If you lay a finger on me, I’ll call the police.”

Not Lift a Finger

  • Meaning: To not make any effort or help.
  • Example: “My teenagers don’t lift a finger around the house. I’m fed up of being treated like a slave.”

Point the Finger At

  • Meaning: Accusing someone of being responsible for a problem.
  • Example: “Instead of pointing the finger at each other, we need to work together to find a solution to this problem.”

Point the finger

  • Meaning: To accuse or blame someone.
  • Example: “She pointed the finger at her colleague for the mistake, even though it was her own fault.”

Put one’s finger on it

  • Meaning: To identify or understand something.
  • Example: “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s something different about her today.”

Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)

  • Meaning: To be responsible for or involved in something.
  • Example: “The CEO’s fingerprints were all over the decision to cut jobs at the company.”

Work One’s Fingers to the Bone

  • Meaning: To work very hard and for long hours.
  • Example: “We worked our fingers to the bone to finish the project on time.”

Interactive Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

a) When something goes wrong, people often start ___________ and blame each other.

  1. Finger-Pointing
  2. Not Lift a Finger
  3. Point the Finger At
  4. Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)

b) My boss expects me to ___________ and do all the work while he takes all the credit.

  1. Finger-Pointing
  2. Not Lift a Finger
  3. Point the Finger At
  4. Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)

c) The police are ___________ the suspect in the robbery.

  1. Finger-Pointing
  2. Not Lift a Finger
  3. Point the Finger At
  4. Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)

d) The CEO ___________ the decision to launch the new product.

  1. Finger-Pointing
  2. Not Lift a Finger
  3. Point the Finger At
  4. Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)

Exercise 2: Fill in the blank 

Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence.

a) I had to ___________ to finish the project on time.

b) He seems to ___________ and is involved in everything that’s going on in the company.

c) I’m ___________ that everything will work out for the best.

d) As a journalist, it’s important to ___________ of what’s happening in the world.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

a. Finger-Pointing

b. Not Lift a Finger

c. Point the Finger At

d. Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something)

Exercise 2:

a. Work One’s Fingers to the Bone

b. Have a Finger in Every Pie

c. Keep One’s Fingers Crossed

d. Keep/ Have Your Fingers on the Pulse