1fin·ger 
/ˈfɪŋgɚ/ noun
plural fin·gers /ˈfɪŋgɚ/ noun 1 [count] : one of the five long parts of the hand that are used for holding things ; especially : one of the four that are not the thumb
▪ Don't stick your fingers in the cookie batter! ▪ He slipped the ring onto her finger. ▪ The baby held onto my thumb with her tiny fingers. ▪ She ran her fingers through his hair. ▪ He drummed his fingers on the table impatiently. — see also forefinger, index finger, little finger, middle finger, ring finger 2 [count] a : something that is long and thin and looks like a finger
▪ a finger of land extending into the sea ▪ a finger of flame
b : the part of a glove into which a finger is placed 3 the finger US, informal : an obscene gesture made by pointing the middle finger up, keeping the other fingers down, and turning the palm towards you
▪ She was so mad, she gave him the finger. ▪ Some angry driver flipped me the finger on the highway this morning.
▪ Don't stick your fingers in the cookie batter! ▪ He slipped the ring onto her finger. ▪ The baby held onto my thumb with her tiny fingers. ▪ She ran her fingers through his hair. ▪ He drummed his fingers on the table impatiently. — see also forefinger, index finger, little finger, middle finger, ring finger
▪ a finger of land extending into the sea ▪ a finger of flame
b : the part of a glove into which a finger is placed
▪ She was so mad, she gave him the finger. ▪ Some angry driver flipped me the finger on the highway this morning.
all fingers and thumbs
informal : very clumsy
▪ Sorry I dropped the vase; I'm all fingers and thumbs today.
▪ Sorry I dropped the vase; I'm all fingers and thumbs today.
cross your fingers — see 2cross
finger on the pulse
◊If you have/keep your finger on the pulse of something, you know about the latest things that are happening.
▪ He claims that he has/keeps his finger on the pulse of the computer industry. [=that he is very aware what is happening in the computer industry]
▪ He claims that he has/keeps his finger on the pulse of the computer industry. [=that he is very aware what is happening in the computer industry]
have a finger in a/the pie
: to have an interest or share in something
▪ a sharp talent agent who has a finger in nearly every pie in show business
▪ a sharp talent agent who has a finger in nearly every pie in show business
itchy finger — see itchy
keep your fingers crossed — see 2cross
lay a finger on
informal : to touch or hit (someone) — usually used in negative statements ▪ I don't know what he's complaining about. I never laid a finger on him.
lift a finger
: to make an effort to do something — usually used in negative statements ▪ I have so many chores to do, and my sister won't lift a finger to help me. ▪ He never lifted a finger to try to improve his failing grades.
point an accusing finger at or point a/the finger at
: to accuse or blame (someone)
▪ He was quick to point an accusing finger at his coworkers. ▪ Let's stop pointing fingers at each other and just solve the problem!
▪ He was quick to point an accusing finger at his coworkers. ▪ Let's stop pointing fingers at each other and just solve the problem!
put/stick two fingers up at someone
Brit, informal : to make an obscene gesture by holding up the index finger and the middle finger of one hand in the shape of a V while keeping the palm turned inward
put your finger on
: to find out the exact nature of (something) : identify
▪ I feel that something is wrong but I can't quite put my finger on the problem.
▪ I feel that something is wrong but I can't quite put my finger on the problem.
the finger of blame/suspicion
— used to say that someone is being blamed or suspected ▪ He was shocked to realize that the finger of suspicion was now pointed at him. [=that he was now suspected]
work your fingers to the bone
: to work very hard
▪ She had to work her fingers to the bone to make enough money to raise her kids.
▪ She had to work her fingers to the bone to make enough money to raise her kids.
wrap (someone) around your (little) finger — see 1wrap
— fin·gered /ˈfɪŋgɚd/ adjective — used in combination ▪ three-fingered
— fin·ger·like /ˈfɪŋgɚˌlaɪk/ adjective
/ˈfɪŋgɚˌlaɪk/ adjective
