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Thumb on the Scale

What Does "Thumb on the Scale" Mean?

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"Thumb on the scale" is an English idiom. It means "to manipulate or influence a situation or outcome unfairly."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "thumb on the scale" used in a sentence:
  • The corrupt official was caught with his thumb on the scale, rigging the election results.
  • In a fair competition, no one should have their thumb on the scale to gain an advantage.
  • They suspected that some individuals had their thumb on the scale, affecting the fairness of the selection process.
meaning for thumb on the scale

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Thumb on the Scale" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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