Meaning of thumb on the scale | Babel Free

Definitions

An act of bias or a tactic for cheating which creates a situation that unfairly benefits one party involved in an interaction.

idiomatic, uncountable, usually

Examples

“I'll try⟳ to give⟳ an impartial account without putting my thumb on the scale.”

“[E]ven to characterize these cases as affirmative action is misleading. What critics often present⟳ as a thumb on the scale for "less qualified" individuals may in fact reflect⟳ only necessary adjustments in the way the scale is calibrated.”

“Ron Kirk, the US trade⟳ representative, accused Beijing of putting a "giant thumb on the scale" by restricting exports of commodities including silicon, coke and zinc, to give⟳ Chinese manufacturers an unfair advantage.”

“"The data show⟳ that the television campaign ads this money buys put⟳ a thumb on the scale in criminal cases, and undermine the promise⟳ of equal justice."”

CEFR level