thumbs down

Meaning

An expression or gesture indicating disapproval, rejection, or a negative opinion about something. It can refer literally to the physical gesture of pointing one's thumb down, or figuratively to a negative reaction.

Examples

• The critics gave the new movie a big thumbs down.

  The critics gave the new movie a big thumbs down.

• I asked my boss about the remote work plan, but I got a thumbs down.

  I asked my boss about the remote work plan, but I got a thumbs down.

• Why are you giving me a thumbs down? I thought my idea was great!

  Why are you giving me a thumbs down? I thought my idea was great!

• The proposal got a thumbs down from the board of directors.

  The proposal got a thumbs down from the board of directors.

• If you don't like the food, just give me a thumbs down.

  If you don't like the food, just give me a thumbs down.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The project got a thumb down.

  ✓ The project got a thumbs down.

  The phrase is almost always plural ('thumbs down'), even if a person physically uses only one thumb to show disapproval.

• ✗ She gave a thumbs down to me.

  ✓ She gave me a thumbs down.

  While grammatically understandable, it is much more natural to use the pattern 'give someone a thumbs down' or 'get a thumbs down from someone'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The audience gave the boring show a unanimous ___.

  💡 A sign or expression of disapproval.

  Show answer

  thumbs down

• I hope my parents don't give my road trip plans a ___.

  💡 A negative response or rejection.

  Show answer

  thumbs down