Meaning of lift a finger | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To make minimal effort; to help as little as possible.
   figuratively
2. To take actual retaliatory or punitive action, as opposed to just complaining.
   figuratively
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lift, finger.

Equivalents

Examples

“She lets me do all the work and never lifts a finger to help.”

“They weep when they see the country being so much exploited and yet nobody lifts a finger.”

“You've known about it all along, you haven't lifted a finger, so don't come crying to me. I don't have time for it.”

“Lifting a finger to greet is dangerous because it may make us feel guilty about not lifting a finger to help.”

“Distressed jeans bear all the signs of exertion, while the consumer never has to lift a finger. What could be more luxurious than that?”

“I think living conditions need to get a lot worse before voters start to lift a finger.”

“So if your next note involves lifting''' a finger, you need to plan to lift the finger promptly to above its spot on the string so that it's ready to play again at any time.”

CEFR level