| 释义 |
all thumbs
thumb T0193800 (thŭm)n.1. a. The short thick digit of the human hand, next to the index finger and opposable to each of the other four digits.b. A corresponding digit in other animals, especially primates. Also called pollex.2. The part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb.3. Architecture An ovolo.v. thumbed, thumb·ing, thumbs v.tr.1. To scan (written matter) by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb.2. To disarrange, soil, or wear by careless or frequent handling.3. Informal To solicit (a ride) from a passing vehicle by signaling with the thumb.v.intr.1. To scan written matter by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb: thumbed through the latest issue of the magazine.2. Informal To hitchhike.Idioms: all thumbs Lacking physical coordination, skill, or grace; clumsy. thumb (one's) nose To express scorn or ridicule, often by placing the thumb on the nose and wiggling the fingers. under (someone's) thumb Under the control of someone; subordinate to.
[Middle English, from Old English thūma; see teuə- in Indo-European roots.]all thumbsVery clumsy with one’s hands. The idea is that the person’s fingers do not work properly, as if each was a thumb instead.Translationsall thumbs
all thumbsUncoordinated or clumsy with one's hands. My mother does beautiful calligraphy, but I'm all thumbs—I can barely hold the pen!See also: all, thumball thumbsFig. very awkward and clumsy, especially with one's hands. Poor Bob can't play the piano at all. He's all thumbs. Mary is all thumbs when it comes to gardening.See also: all, thumball thumbsPhysically awkward, especially with respect to the hands, as in When it comes to knitting, Mary is all thumbs. The notion of this idiom derives from a proverb in John Heywood's collection of 1546: "When he should get aught, each finger is a thumb." See also: all, thumball thumbs BRITISH, AMERICAN or all fingers and thumbs BRITISHIf you are all thumbs or all fingers and thumbs, you do something in a very clumsy way. Can you open this? I'm all thumbs. When I came to give the baby a bath, I was all fingers and thumbs.See also: all, thumb all thumbs Lacking physical coordination, skill, or grace; clumsy.See also: all, thumbMedicalSeethumb |