2 VERB If you thumb a lift or thumb a ride, you stand by the side of the road holding out your thumb until a driver stops and gives you a lift. □ [V n + to ] It may interest you to know that a boy answering Rory's description thumbed a ride to Howth. □ [V n] Thumbing a lift had once a carefree, easy-going image.
3 → see also well-thumbed
4 PHRASE If you say that someone or something sticks out like a sore thumb or stands out like a sore thumb , you are emphasizing that they are very noticeable, usually because they are unusual or inappropriate. [EMPHASIS ] □ Does the new housing stick out like a sore thumb or blend into its surroundings?
5 PHRASE If you say that someone is twiddling their thumbs , you mean that they do not have anything to do and are waiting for something to happen. □ The prospect of waiting around just twiddling his thumbs was appalling.
6 PHRASE If you are under someone's thumb , you are under their control, or very heavily influenced by them. □ I cannot tell you what pain I feel when I see how much my mother is under my father's thumb.
7 green thumb → see green
8 to thumb your nose at someone → see nose
9 rule of thumb → see rule
▸ thumb through PHRASAL VERB If you thumb through something such as a book or magazine, you turn the pages quickly rather than reading each page carefully. □ [V P n] He had the drawer open and was thumbing through the files.
thumb|nail /θʌ mne I l/ (thumbnails ) also thumb-nail
1 N‑COUNT Your thumbnail is the nail on your thumb.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A thumbnail sketch or account is a very short description of an event, idea, or plan which gives only the main details.
thumb|print /θʌ mpr I nt/ (thumbprints ) also thumb print
1 N‑COUNT A thumbprint is a mark made by a person's thumb which shows the pattern of lines on its surface.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that something such as a project has someone's thumbprint on it, you mean that it has features that make it obvious that they have been involved with it. □ It's got your thumbprint all over it.
thumb|screw /θʌ mskruː/ (thumbscrews ) also thumb screw
1 N‑COUNT A thumbscrew is an object that was used in the past to torture people by crushing their thumbs.
2 N‑COUNT If someone puts the thumbscrews on you, they start to put you under extreme pressure in order to force you to do something.
thu mbs-do wn also thumbs down N‑SING If you say that someone gives a plan, idea, or suggestion the thumbs-down , you are indicating that they do not approve of it and refuse to accept it. [INFORMAL ]
thu mbs-u p also thumbs up
1 N‑SING A thumbs-up or a thumbs-up sign is a sign that you make by raising your thumb to show that you agree with someone, that you are happy with an idea or situation, or that everything is all right. □ She checked the hall, then gave the others a thumbs-up sign.
2 N‑SING If you give a plan, idea, or suggestion the thumbs-up , you indicate that you approve of it and are willing to accept it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ to ] The financial markets have given the thumbs up to the new policy.
thumb|tack /θʌ mtæk/ (thumbtacks ) N‑COUNT A thumbtack is a short pin with a broad flat top which is used for fastening papers or pictures to a board, wall, or other surface. [AM ] in BRIT, use drawing pin
thump /θʌ mp/ (thumps , thumping , thumped )
1 VERB If you thump something, you hit it hard, usually with your fist. □ [V n] He thumped my shoulder affectionately, nearly knocking me over. □ [V + on ] I heard you thumping on the door. ● N‑COUNT Thump is also a noun. □ [+ on ] He felt a thump on his shoulder.
2 VERB If you thump someone, you attack them and hit them with your fist. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Don't say it serves me right or I'll thump you.
3 VERB If you thump something somewhere or if it thumps there, it makes a loud, dull sound by hitting something else. □ [V n prep] She thumped her hand on the witness box. □ [V n with adv] Waiters went scurrying down the aisles, thumping down tureens of soup. □ [V prep/adv] …paving stones and bricks which have been thumping down on police shields and helmets. ● N‑COUNT Thump is also a noun. □ There was a loud thump as the horse crashed into the van.
4 VERB When your heart thumps , it beats strongly and quickly, usually because you are afraid or excited. □ [V ] My heart was thumping wildly but I didn't let my face show any emotion.
5 → see also thumping
thump|ing /θʌ mp I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Thumping is used to emphasize that something is very great or severe. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The Right has a thumping majority.
2 → see also thump
thun|der /θʌ ndə r / (thunders , thundering , thundered )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Thunder is the loud noise that you hear from the sky after a flash of lightning, especially during a storm. □ …a distant clap of thunder.
2 VERB When it thunders , a loud noise comes from the sky after a flash of lightning. □ [V ] The day was heavy and still. It would probably thunder later.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The thunder of something that is moving or making a sound is the loud deep noise it makes. □ [+ of ] The thunder of the sea on the rocks seemed to blank out other thoughts.