PhrasesHub

Thumbs up

    Definitions

      • approval or agreement
        to show agreement, satisfaction, or approval of something

      • encouragement
        to give someone encouragement or a signal to proceed

    Examples of Thumbs up

    • The teacher thumbs up the student's presentation, indicating that she is impressed.

      The idiom "thumbs up" refers to the gesture of touching one's thumb to the other fingers while forming a fist, which is used to indicate approval or agreement. In this context, the teacher is using the idiom to express that she approves of the student's presentation.

    • The audience gives a thumbs up to the comedian's routine, signaling that they find it funny.

      Here, the audience is using the idiom to show that they approve of the comedian's performance and find it humorous.

    • The director gives a thumbs up to the actor's performance on set, signifying that he nailed the scene.

      In this example, the director is using the idiom to express that the actor has done a great job and has successfully executed the scene.

    • My friend thumbs up the new restaurant, recommending that I try it out.

      In this context, my friend is using the idiom to express her approval of the new restaurant and is recommending that I give it a try.

    • The audience gave a loud round of applause and thumbs up after the singer's mesmerizing performance.

      This example shows how the expression "thumbs up" is used to indicate approval or positive feedback from a group of people. In this case, the audience showed their approval by clapping and giving a thumbs-up sign with their hands.

    • The manager assured us that the project was going to be a success and gave us a thumbs up sign for encouragement.

      Here, the manager used a nonverbal expression to indicate his confidence in the project. By giving a thumbs-up sign, he conveyed his belief that the project would be successful, which provided encouragement and motivation to his team.

    • I checked my phone and saw a new message from my friend. It read, "Thumbs up for your recent promotion!"

      In this example, the phrase "thumbs up" is used in the context of a text message. The friend is congratulating the person on their promotion by using the expression "thumbs up" to indicate his approval and happiness for the person's success.

    • The director of the movie gave a thumbs-up sign to the editor, signaling that he was pleased with the latest version of the film.

      The director's thumbs-up sign in this example indicated that he was satisfied with the editor's work and that the latest version of the movie met his expectations. The idiomatic expression in this instance served as a signal that the filmmaking process was progressing smoothly.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "thumbs up" is used to express approval, agreement, satisfaction, or encouragement. It is a simple gesture that communicates positivity and support.

    In everyday language, people may use "thumbs up" to show agreement with a statement or decision, to indicate that something is good or satisfactory, or to offer encouragement to someone.

    In summary, "thumbs up" is a versatile and widely understood idiom that conveys positivity, approval, and encouragement.

    Origin of "Thumbs up"

    The origin of the idiom "thumbs up" can be traced back to ancient Roman gladiator contests. It is believed that the audience would signal their approval of a defeated gladiator's performance by pointing their thumbs upward. This gesture indicated that the defeated gladiator should be spared rather than killed. Over time, the gesture became associated with approval and encouragement in various cultures.

    The idiom "thumbs up" has evolved to symbolize positive affirmation and encouragement in modern times. It is commonly used in both verbal and nonverbal communication to express agreement, satisfaction, or approval.