What Does "Twiddle One's Thumbs" Mean?
"Twiddle one's thumbs" is an English idiom. It means "to pass the time idly or impatiently, often by making circular motions with one's thumbs."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "twiddle one's thumbs" used in a sentence:- While waiting for the delayed flight, he had no choice but to twiddle his thumbs and hope for the best.
- She couldn't stand sitting in the waiting room and decided to read a book rather than twiddle her thumbs.
- The long line at the DMV left him twiddling his thumbs and contemplating the importance of efficient government services.
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 "Twiddle One's Thumbs" 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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