brown thumb
A lack of skill at growing plants; a poor gardening skill.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I have a brown thumb and kill every plant I buy.”
“She admits she has a brown thumb, so she only keeps succulents that need almost no water.”
“Despite his grandmother's legendary garden, he inherited only her brown thumb, watching helplessly as even hardy herbs withered in his care.”
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all fingers and thumbs
Of a person, clumsy or awkward.
- 02
all thumbs
Clumsy; awkward; not dextrous.
- 03
brown bag
A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.
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brown bread
Dead.
- 05
brown noser
One who brownnoses (flatters or humors somebody in an obsequious manner for personal gain); one who sucks up; a bootlicker, dickrider, ass-kisser, sycophant.
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brown power
The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.
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brown study
A melancholy mood accompanied by deep thought; a moody daydream.
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browned off
Annoyed, upset, angry, bored, fed up, disgusted
Last updated August 10, 2026