ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lay a finger on

idiom
Meaning

To merely touch.


Origin

disputed origin

From Middle English fynger on (hem) to leyn (“touch (someone) with hostile intent”).

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't you dare lay a finger on my cake.

CONTEXTUAL

The angry man warned the thief not to lay a finger on his expensive car.

COMPLEX

The protective mother declared that no one should lay a finger on her child while she was still breathing.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    fat finger

    A supposed cause of typographical errors, especially keyboard errors, caused from erroneous key presses or typing errors on touchscreen devices.

  2. 02

    finger in the pie

    A share in the doing of something; involvement.

  3. 03

    finger to the wind

    An attention to or focus on or awareness of current or prevailing trends, public opinion, or shifting circumstances.

  4. 04

    fucked by the fickle finger of fate

    Victimized by bad luck.

  5. 05

    get one's finger out

    To proceed with the matter in hand.

  6. 06

    have one's finger on the trigger

    To be prepared to kill someone else or as with a firearm.

  7. 07

    itchy trigger finger

    The metaphorical trigger finger of a person with a tendency or readiness to act in haste or without consideration; a tendency to so act.

  8. 08

    lay an anchor to the windward

    To adopt precautionary or anticipatory measures for potential future success or security.

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