thumbs down


thumbs down

A sign or indication of disapproval. The phrase can refer to the actual gesture, which carries the same meaning, or can be used figuratively. I know the committee approved our idea, but the CEO ultimately gave it the thumbs down. Getting a thumbs down to yet another college application has really disheartened me.See also: down, thumb

thumbs down

 1. a sign of disapproval. The board gave our proposal a thumbs down. The administration's tax bill got a thumbs down in Congress. 2. disapproving; negative. It was thumbs down, and I was disappointed. The thumbs-down decision was a victory for good sense.See also: down, thumb

(give somebody/something/get) the thumbs ˈup/ˈdown

used to show that something has been accepted/rejected or that it is/is not a success: I asked him whether I could borrow the car, and he gave me the thumbs up. ♢ I’m afraid it’s thumbs down for your new proposal — the boss doesn’t like it. ♢ We’ve got the thumbs up for the new swimming pool.In contests in ancient Rome the public put their thumbs up if they wanted a gladiator to live, and down if they wanted him to be killed.See also: down, thumb, up

thumbs down

1. n. a sign of disapproval. (see also turn thumbs down (on someone/something).) The board gave our proposal a thumbs down. 2. mod. disapproving; negative. It was thumbs down, and I was disappointed. See also: down, thumb