lift a finger

lift a finger
phrasal
: to make an effort : work

* * *

lift a finger
lift

* * *

I
see lift
II lift a finger (or hand)
[usu. with negative] make the slightest effort to do something, esp. to help someone

he never once lifted a finger to get Jimmy released from prison

* * *

lift a finger
: to make an effort to do something
— usually used in negative statements

I have so many chores to do, and my sister won't lift a finger to help me.

He never lifted a finger to try to improve his failing grades.

• • •
Main Entry:finger
————————
lift a finger — see finger, 1
• • •
Main Entry:lift

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lift\ a\ finger — • lift a finger • lift a hand • raise a hand v. phr. 1. To do something; do your share; to help. Usually used in the negative. We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn t lift a finger. The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry.… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lift a finger — ► lift a finger (or hand) make the slightest effort: he wouldn t lift a finger to help. Main Entry: ↑lift …   English terms dictionary

  • lift a finger — or[lift a hand] also[raise a hand] {v. phr.} 1. To do something; do your share; to help. Usually used in the negative. * /We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn t lift a finger./ * /The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry./… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lift a finger — or[lift a hand] also[raise a hand] {v. phr.} 1. To do something; do your share; to help. Usually used in the negative. * /We all worked hard except Joe. He wouldn t lift a finger./ * /The king did not lift a hand when his people were hungry./… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lift a finger — (not) lift a finger to not help someone to do something, usually because you are lazy. He spends all day stretched out on the sofa and never lifts a finger to help. (usually + to do something) …   New idioms dictionary

  • lift a finger — verb To make minimal effort; to help as little as possible. We do all the work, and they never lift a finger to help …   Wiktionary

  • lift a finger — help someone, do anything to help    Loki is my friend, but he didn t lift a finger when I needed help …   English idioms

  • lift a finger — do something, do one s share, help Although he is a nice person he will never lift a finger to help anyone else …   Idioms and examples

  • lift a finger (or hand) usu. with negative — make the slightest effort. → lift …   English new terms dictionary

  • lift a finger hand — do something, do one s share, help Although he is a nice person he will never lift a finger to help anyone else …   Idioms and examples

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