Meaning of Fonzie touch | Babel Free

Definitions

Hitting an electrical appliance to make it work. Any similar rough treatment that proves successful.

informal

Examples

“Often when something doesn't work⟳ for me, I just restart the computer and try⟳ again. Often this jars something loose, akin to the ole Fonzie touch⟳.”

“We wish⟳ we had the Fonzie touch⟳ — give⟳ it a little kick⟳ and voila, it's working. Unfortunately, printers don't like⟳ to be kicked.”

“2005, Rocket Jones (archive). http://rocketjones.mu.nu/archives/2005_06.php I have⟳ to do that to get⟳ the door of my pickup truck open⟳ sometimes. - Rookie astronaut Donald Pettit after he used his Fonzie touch⟳ to open⟳ a hatch on the International Space Station”

“2006, http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/08/24/the_mini_window_motor_issue⟳/ I had the driver’s side window motor replaced about three weeks ago on my ‘03 MC. Last⟳ weekend, the passenger side started acting up, but I guess⟳ I don’t have⟳ the “Fonzie” touch⟳ — beating on the door panel didn’t do anything but hurt⟳ my hand.”

“Usually, when things in the dashboard don't work⟳, I just bang on it, and they start⟳ working again. This happened often with the speedometer. The Fonzie touch⟳ would not work⟳ for the radio.”

CEFR level