Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

lift a finger

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.19 in modern English

Syllables: lift a fin-ger
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make minimal effort; to help as little as possible.

verb

To take actual retaliatory or punitive action, as opposed to just complaining.

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lift, finger.

Example Sentences

"She lets me do all the work and never lifts a finger to help."
"They weep when they see the country being so much exploited and yet nobody lifts a finger."
"You've known about it all along, you haven't lifted a finger, so don't come crying to me. I don't have time for it."
"Lifting a finger to greet is dangerous because it may make us feel guilty about not lifting a finger to help."
"Distressed jeans bear all the signs of exertion, while the consumer never has to lift a finger. What could be more luxurious than that?"
"I think living conditions need to get a lot worse before voters start to lift a finger."

Etymology

Compare Matthew 23:4.

Inflected Forms

lifts a finger (present, singular) lifting a finger (participle, present) lifted a finger (participle, past) lifted a finger (past)

Phrases

stroke of work

Frequently Paired Words

stroke of work

Synonyms

move a finger raise a finger stir a finger

Questions

What does lift a finger mean?: To make minimal effort; to help as little as possible.
Where does lift a finger come from?: Compare Matthew 23:4.

How to pronounce lift a finger

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “lift a finger”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “lift a finger” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.