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5 thumb idioms, with pictures

Look at the picture, read the meaning, and listen to the example.

A woman in a green blazer sits at a kitchen table with a calculator and a notebook. She holds up a ruler and a big thumb, and a jar of coins stands beside her.

What does “Rule of thumb” mean?

“Rule of thumb” means a simple rule that works most of the time.

Example: As a rule of thumb, save ten percent of your pay.

Emoji clue: ruler, thumb

A man in a dark business suit and tie stands on a sunny beach among people in swimsuits. He holds a briefcase and looks around with an awkward smile.

What does “Stick out like a sore thumb” mean?

“Stick out like a sore thumb” means look very different from everyone else.

Example: I wore a suit to the beach, and I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Emoji clue: bandage, thumb

A man in overalls kneels beside a bicycle with tools scattered around him. His hands are covered in oil and the chain is tangled in a knot, and he scratches his head.

What does “All thumbs” mean?

“All thumbs” means not good at using your hands.

Example: I am all thumbs when I fix a bike.

Emoji clue: ten, thumb

A tiny man in a tie sits on a desk under a giant thumb that presses down from above. A tall boss in a suit holds a pen and smiles while the small man looks worried.

What does “Under someone's thumb” mean?

“Under someone's thumb” means controlled by another person.

Example: He has lived under his boss's thumb for years.

Emoji clue: person, down arrow, thumb

A woman sits on a bench in a waiting room with her hands in her lap, spinning her thumbs around each other. A big wall clock shows a long time, and other people wait beside her looking bored.

What does “Twiddle your thumbs” mean?

“Twiddle your thumbs” means do nothing while you wait.

Example: The bus was late, so we had to twiddle our thumbs.

Emoji clue: swirl, thumb

More idioms

Feelings idioms, Time idioms, Work idioms, Money idioms, Food idioms, Travel idioms, Weather idioms, Animal idioms, Body part idioms, Home idioms, Health idioms, Love idioms, Sports idioms, Color idioms, Music idioms, Friendship idioms, Clothes idioms, Water idioms, Cat idioms, Dog idioms, Fire idioms, Business idioms, Horse idioms, Fish idioms, Bird idioms, Heart idioms, Sea idioms, American slang idioms, More American slang idioms, American shopping slang idioms, American work slang idioms, American reply slang idioms, American mood slang idioms, Flower idioms, Tree idioms, Sleep idioms, Luck idioms, Star idioms, Moon idioms, Snow idioms, Light idioms, Egg idioms, Wind idioms, Sun idioms, Hand idioms, Car idioms, Game idioms, Eye idioms, Road idioms, Head idioms, Foot idioms, Blood idioms, Cooking idioms, Thinking idioms, Teeth idioms, Ear idioms, Mouth idioms, Back idioms, Wall idioms, Brain idioms, Book idioms, Nose idioms, Ideas idioms, Face idioms, Lip idioms, Door idioms, Sweat idioms, Gold idioms, Silver idioms, Pie idioms, or all Idiom Rush levels.

100 common English idioms and their meanings

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