Thumbs up/down
idiomatic expression
An expression of approval or support.
He gave a thumbs up to the idea of having a company picnic next month.
Often appears as...
- gave a thumbs up
- give your thumbs up
Usage tips
Approving
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
An expression of dislike or disapproval.
She gave a thumbs down to the plan of postponing the meeting to next week.
Often appears as...
- gave a thumbs down
- give your thumbs down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
A signal of the thumb pointing up to mean OK or good.
He showed me a thumbs up to assure me that everything is fine.
Often appears as...
- show a thumbs up
- signaling thumbs up
Usage tips
Reassuring
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
A signal of the thumb pointing down to mean not OK or bad.
The crowd showed a thumbs down as a sign of discontentment.
Often appears as...
- show a thumbs down
- signaling thumbs down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
An expression of approval or support.
He gave a thumbs up to the idea of having a company picnic next month.
Often appears as...
- gave a thumbs up
- give your thumbs up
Usage tips
Approving
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
An expression of dislike or disapproval.
She gave a thumbs down to the plan of postponing the meeting to next week.
Often appears as...
- gave a thumbs down
- give your thumbs down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
A signal of the thumb pointing up to mean OK or good.
He showed me a thumbs up to assure me that everything is fine.
Often appears as...
- show a thumbs up
- signaling thumbs up
Usage tips
Reassuring
Colloquial
idiomatic expression
A signal of the thumb pointing down to mean not OK or bad.
The crowd showed a thumbs down as a sign of discontentment.
Often appears as...
- show a thumbs down
- signaling thumbs down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Universal Gesture
Thumbs up is a widely recognized sign for approval, used globally in diverse cultures.
Even in a foreign country, my thumbs up was understood as approval.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Use
Used as a non-verbal way to agree or say 'yes' when speaking isn't possible.
During the loud concert, we used a thumbs up to communicate agreement.
Pro Tip 3/3Digital Expression
Often used in social media and texting as an emoji to show support or like something.
I left a thumbs up emoji on her post to show I liked her idea.
Pro Tip 1/3Universal Gesture
Thumbs up is a widely recognized sign for approval, used globally in diverse cultures.
Even in a foreign country, my thumbs up was understood as approval.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Use
Used as a non-verbal way to agree or say 'yes' when speaking isn't possible.
During the loud concert, we used a thumbs up to communicate agreement.
Pro Tip 3/3Digital Expression
Often used in social media and texting as an emoji to show support or like something.
I left a thumbs up emoji on her post to show I liked her idea.
Pro Tip 1/3Universal Gesture
Thumbs up is a widely recognized sign for approval, used globally in diverse cultures.
Even in a foreign country, my thumbs up was understood as approval.
Pro Tip 2/3Non-Verbal Use
Used as a non-verbal way to agree or say 'yes' when speaking isn't possible.
During the loud concert, we used a thumbs up to communicate agreement.
Pro Tip 3/3Digital Expression
Often used in social media and texting as an emoji to show support or like something.
I left a thumbs up emoji on her post to show I liked her idea.
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