PhrasesHub

Close fisted

    Definitions

      • unwilling to spend money
        Describe someone who is reluctant to part with their money or who is very tight with their finances

      • selfish
        Describe someone who is unwilling to share or give freely, especially when it comes to money or possessions

    Examples of Close fisted

    • The sales manager refused to negotiate, keeping his hands tightly clasped together in a close fisted manner.

      This idiom is used when someone is being extremely tight-fisted, unwilling to compromise or spend money. It can also be used to describe someone who is closed-minded and refuses to listen to other points of view. In this example, the manager's hands are so tightly clasped together that it almost seems as though he's physically clutching his resources in order to prevent others from getting their hands on them. His body language communicates a firm unwillingness to negotiate or bend in any way.

    • The athlete sulked on the sidelines, keeping her hands balled up in a close fisted pose.

      This idiom can also be applied to situations where someone is emotionally tight-fisted, holding back their feelings and refusing to open up. In this example, the athlete's body language communicates a sense of anger and frustration. Her hands are so tightly balled that it's almost as though she's trying to hold herself together, keeping her emotions locked inside. Her close fisted pose symbolizes her resistance to sharing her feelings or admitting any vulnerability.

    • The teacher scolded the student, demanding that he open his hand and show the money he had been hoarding.

      This idiom can be used to describe someone who is literally or figuratively holding onto money or resources tightly, with their fingers clenched around them. In this example, the student has been caught hoarding money, and the teacher demands that he loosen his grip and reveal what he has been keeping hidden. This idiom is used to emphasize the student's greed and unwillingness to share or part with what he has been concealing.

    • The CEO clutched his briefcase tightly to his chest, guarding the confidential documents inside like a close fisted secret.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is fiercely protective of their secrets or knowledge, guarding them with a tight grip or closed fists. In this example, the CEO's briefcase and the documents inside are so important that he is willing to treat them as though they're a closely guarded secret. His close fisted grip communicates his desire to keep this information safe from prying eyes and ensure that it remains securely in his possession.

    • The CEO of the company kept a close fisted approach during the negotiations, refusing to budge on any major issues.

      The phrase "close fisted" is used in this example to describe the CEO's unwillingness to compromise or be flexible during the negotiations. By keeping his fists tightly closed, the CEO is symbolically holding onto his position and unwilling to let go, even if it means missing out on potential benefits. This idiom is commonly used to indicate a person who is reluctant to share, cooperate or participate.

    • The athlete's tight grip on the ball was reminiscent of a close fisted approach, making it difficult for the opposing team to steal it away.

      Here, "close fisted" is used to describe the athlete's strong and tight hold on the ball. This hold makes it challenging for the opposing team to take the ball, as the athlete's grip is so tight that it's like holding onto a closed fist that's resisting being opened. This idiom can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate someone who's holding onto something tightly, be it a physical object or an idea.

    • The entrepreneur's close fisted attitude towards investment opportunities may be hindering his company's growth potential.

      This example uses "close fisted" to depict the entrepreneur's unwillingness to invest in potential opportunities. By keeping his fists closed, the entrepreneur is symbolically holding onto his resources, limiting his company's ability to expand or take risks. This idiom is often used to convey a person who's hesitant to spend or allocate resources, potentially missing out on potential benefits as a result.

    • The politician's campaign strategy was criticized for being too close fisted, with a lack of creativity and flexibility in his approach.

      In this example, "close fisted" is used to depict the politician's inflexibility in his campaign strategy. By keeping his fists closed, the politician is symbolically holding onto a rigid and unchanging approach, neglecting any potential benefits from a more creative or flexible strategy. This idiom can be used to indicate someone who's rigid, inflexible and resisting change or new ideas.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "close fisted" is used to describe someone who is unwilling to spend money or share their possessions. It can be used to caution against engaging in financial dealings with such a person, or to simply describe someone who is very tight with their finances. It can also be used to describe someone who is selfish and unwilling to share or give freely.

    Origin of "Close fisted"

    The origin of the idiom "close fisted" can be traced back to the idea of clenching one's fist tightly, which is often associated with holding onto something tightly and not letting it go. This physical gesture has been used metaphorically to describe someone who is unwilling to let go of their money or possessions. The term "close-fisted" has been used in English since the 16th century, and likely originated from this physical gesture. Over time, it has come to be used figuratively to describe someone who is unwilling to spend or share. Examples of this idiom can be found in literature and everyday conversation, highlighting its long-standing usage in the English language.