Under one's thumb

Under one's thumb
Thumb Thumb, n. [OE. thombe, thoumbe, [thorn]ume, AS. [thorn][=u]ma; akin to OFries. th[=u]ma, D. duim, G. daumen, OHG. d[=u]mo, Icel. [thorn]umall, Dan. tommelfinger, Sw. tumme, and perhaps to L. tumere to swell. [root]56. Cf. {Thimble}, {Tumid}.] The short, thick first digit of the human hand, differing from the other fingers in having but two phalanges; the pollex. See {Pollex}. [1913 Webster]

Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{Thumb band}, a twist of anything as thick as the thumb. --Mortimer.

{Thumb blue}, indigo in the form of small balls or lumps, used by washerwomen to blue linen, and the like.

{Thumb latch}, a door latch having a lever formed to be pressed by the thumb.

{Thumb mark}. (a) The mark left by the impression of a thumb, as on the leaves of a book. --Longfellow. (b) The dark spot over each foot in finely bred black and tan terriers.

{Thumb nut}, a nut for a screw, having wings to grasp between the thumb and fingers in turning it; also, a nut with a knurled rim for the same perpose.

{Thumb ring}, a ring worn on the thumb. --Shak.

{Thumb stall}. (a) A kind of thimble or ferrule of iron, or leather, for protecting the thumb in making sails, and in other work. (b) (Mil.) A buckskin cushion worn on the thumb, and used to close the vent of a cannon while it is sponged, or loaded.

{Under one's thumb}, completely under one's power or influence; in a condition of subservience. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • under one's thumb — • under one s thumb • under the thumb obedient to someone, controlled by someone He is only an assistant salesman but he has his boss under his thumb. Digest 22/2002 under someone s control Don t ask Margie to make a change in our work schedule.… …   Idioms and examples

  • under one's thumb — phrasal see under the thumb of * * * under one s thumb Under one s domination • • • Main Entry: ↑thumb …   Useful english dictionary

  • under\ one's\ thumb — • under (some)one s thumb • under the thumb adj or adv. phr. Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother. Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb. The mayor is …   Словарь американских идиом

  • under one's thumb — or[under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. * /The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother./ * /Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb./ * /The mayor is so… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under one's thumb — or[under the thumb] {adj.} or {adv. phr.} Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. * /The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother./ * /Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb./ * /The mayor is so… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • under one's thumb — or under the thumb phrasal under control ; in a state of subservience < her father did not have her that much under his thumb Hamilton Basso > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • under one's thumb — adj. under the control of; manipulated by. Under My Thumb (song title) …   English slang

  • under one's thumb — adjective Completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command. She has the entire crew under her thumb. They would do anything for her …   Wiktionary

  • under someone's thumb — • under one s thumb • under the thumb obedient to someone, controlled by someone He is only an assistant salesman but he has his boss under his thumb. Digest 22/2002 under someone s control Don t ask Margie to make a change in our work schedule.… …   Idioms and examples

  • under\ someone's\ thumb — • under (some)one s thumb • under the thumb adj or adv. phr. Obedient to you; controlled by you; under your power. The Jones family is under the thumb of the mother. Jack is a bully. He keeps all the younger children under his thumb. The mayor is …   Словарь американских идиом

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