lay a finger on
To merely touch.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't you dare lay a finger on my cake.”
“The angry man warned the thief not to lay a finger on his expensive car.”
“The protective mother declared that no one should lay a finger on her child while she was still breathing.”
From the Middle English phrase *fynger on (hem) to leyn*, recorded as a description of touching another person with hostile intent. The structure persists as a surviving trace of the mediaeval idiom, which specifically denoted the application of physical force or the initiation of an assault.
- 01
a wild goose never laid a tame egg
Most things are inherited and predetermined.
- 02
all fingers and thumbs
Of a person, clumsy or awkward.
- 03
best laid plans
A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the ability to fully or even partially execute them is uncertain.
- 04
burn one's fingers
To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.
- 05
fat finger
A supposed cause of typographical errors, especially keyboard errors, caused from erroneous key presses or typing errors on touchscreen devices.
- 06
finger in the pie
A share in the doing of something; involvement.
- 07
finger to the wind
An attention to or focus on or awareness of current or prevailing trends, public opinion, or shifting circumstances.
- 08
fucked by the fickle finger of fate
Victimized by bad luck.
Last updated August 10, 2026