# brown thumb

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/brown-thumb
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A lack of skill at growing plants; a poor gardening skill.

## Examples

- 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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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.