PhrasesHub

all thumbs

    Definitions

      • clumsiness or lack of coordination
        Used to describe someone who is awkward or clumsy, especially with their hands or fingers

      • inability to perform a task well
        Refers to someone who is not skilled or adept at a particular activity or task, often resulting in mistakes or errors

    Examples of all thumbs

    • I'm terrible at playing the piano. My fingers seem to be all thumbs.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is clumsy or inept at doing something, especially something that requires dexterity or skill. In this example, the speaker is admitting that they have difficulty playing the piano because they seem to fumble and make mistakes, as if they have no idea where the keys are or how to press them.

    • The carpenter was all thumbs as he tried to hammer in the nails.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's actions or movements, especially when they are awkward or uncoordinated. In this example, the carpenter is having a hard time hammering the nails into place, as if he has no sense of where the nails should go or how much force to use.

    • The surgeon was all thumbs during the operation, causing the patient to suffer unnecessary pain.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's performance or behavior in a serious or important situation, especially when it results in negative consequences. In this example, the surgeon's lack of skill or coordination during the operation is causing the patient to experience unnecessary pain, which could have serious consequences for the patient's health and well-being.

    • The musician was all thumbs during the concert, causing the audience to lose interest.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's performance or behavior in a public or social setting, especially when it causes others to lose interest or become disengaged. In this example, the musician's lack of skill or coordination during the concert is causing the audience to lose interest, which could have serious consequences for the musician's reputation and career.

    • The chef was all thumbs as he tried to flip the pancakes, causing them to burn.

      This idiom can also be used to describe someone's actions or movements in a specific context or situation, especially when it results in negative consequences. In this example, the chef's lack of skill or coordination as he tries to flip the pancakes is causing them to burn, which could have serious consequences for the chef's reputation as a skilled and experienced cook.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "all thumbs" is often used to describe someone who is clumsy or awkward, particularly with their hands or fingers. It can also refer to a lack of skill or proficiency in a specific task or activity, resulting in mistakes or errors. In both cases, the intention is to highlight a person's lack of coordination or ability to perform a task well.

    Origin of "all thumbs"

    The origin of this idiom is believed to come from the idea that having all thumbs instead of fingers would make it difficult to perform tasks that require dexterity and coordination. This phrase has been in use since at least the 16th century and has been used in various forms, such as "all fingers and thumbs" or "all fingers but the thumbs."

    In terms of its figurative meaning, the idiom may have originated from the idea that the thumbs are essential for grasping and manipulating objects, so lacking them would make a person clumsy or less skilled. It may also have come from the concept of using thumbs to count, so someone who is "all thumbs" would be unable to accurately count or keep track of things.

    Overall, the idiom "all thumbs" has a long history and has evolved to encompass various meanings related to clumsiness and lack of coordination. Its origin may have stemmed from the physical limitations of not having fingers or from the symbolism of thumbs as a vital part of manual tasks.