lift a finger Definition

finger
noun

1a. One of the five jointed extremities of the hand;

Thesaurus: claw, talon, digit, index, phalanx, digital.
1b. Any of the four of these other than the thumb;


Example: finger buffet


Example: fingerprint
2. The part of a glove that fits over a finger.
3. Anything resembling or similar to a finger in shape.
4. A measure or quantity of alcoholic spirits in a glass, filling it to a depth which is equal to the width of a finger.

verb fingered, fingering

1. To touch or feel something with the fingers, often affectionately or lovingly; to caress.

Example: He fingered the velvet
Thesaurus: feel, handle, touch, manipulate, caress, fondle, stroke, paw, maul, toy with.
2. music.
To indicate (on a part or composition) the choice and configuration of fingers to be used for a piece of music.
3. slang
To stimulate someone sexually by inserting the finger into an orifice, usually the vulva or anus.
Form: fingerfuck (also)
4. slang
To identify (a criminal) to the police, etc.
5. colloq
Used by computer users: to call up a file showing information about another computer user, eg whether they are logged-on, where their office is located, etc.

Derivative: fingerless
adj

Example: fingerless gloves

Idiom: be all fingers and thumbs

colloq
To be clumsy in handling or holding things.

Idiom: get one's fingers burnt

colloq
To suffer for one's over-boldness or mistakes.

Idiom: have a finger in every pie

colloq, often derog
To have an interest, or be involved, in many different things.

Idiom: not lay a finger on someone

Not to touch or harm them.

Idiom: lift a finger (lift a hand)

See under lift.

Idiom: point the finger at someone

colloq
To blame or accuse them.

Idiom: pull one's finger out (get one's finger out)

slang
To make an effort to start working more efficiently.

Idiom: put the finger on someone

slang
To finger (verb 4) (a criminal, etc).

Idiom: slip through someone's fingers

To manage to escape from them.

Idiom: wrap someone round one's little finger (twist someone round one's little finger)

colloq
To be able to get what one wants from them.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.

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lift
verb lifted, lifting

tr & intr
1. To raise or rise to a higher position.

Thesaurus: hoist, raise, boost, elevate, upraise.
2. To move (especially one's eyes or face) upwards.
3. To take and carry away; to remove.
4. To raise to a better or more agreeable level.

Example: lift one's spirits
intr
5a. Said of cloud, fog, etc: to clear;
intr
5b. Said of winds: to become less strong.
6. To remove or annul.

Example: They will lift the trading restrictions
7. To dig up (crops growing in the ground, eg potatoes).
8. colloq
To plagiarize from someone else's work or from published material.
9. slang
To arrest.
10. colloq
To steal.

noun

1. An act of lifting.
2. Lifting power.
3. The upward force of the air on an aircraft, etc.
(Brit)
4. A device for moving people and goods between floors of a building, consisting of a compartment which moves up and down in a vertical shaft. N Amer equivalent elevator.
(Brit)
5. A ride in a person's car or other vehicle, often given without payment as a favour. N Amer equivalent ride.
6. A boost to the spirits or sudden feeling of happiness.
7. A step in advancement, promotion, etc.
8. A mechanism for raising or lowering a vessel to another level of a canal.
9. A layer in the heel of a shoe to give extra height.

Idiom: to have one's face lifted

To have a facelift.

Idiom: lift a hand (lift one's hand)

To threaten to hit someone.

Idiom: lift a finger (lift a hand)

Note: with negatives
To make the smallest effort (to help, etc).
Example: He just sat there without lifting a finger to help
Thesaurus: try, make an effort, attempt, endeavour.

Etymology: 13c: from Norse lypta.

Phrasal Verb: lift off

Said of a spacecraft: to rise, especially vertically, from the ground.