What Does 'All Thumbs' Mean? (よく使う英語慣用語句） -N0.505-

What Does 'All Thumbs' Mean?


Introduction:

Have you ever felt clumsy or awkward, especially when trying to do something with your hands? You might have felt like you were "all thumbs." This common idiom in English describes a lack of manual dexterity. 


1. What Does 'All Thumbs' Mean?

"All thumbs" means to be clumsy or awkward, especially with your hands. It describes someone who is not good at handling things skillfully. It implies a lack of coordination and dexterity, making even simple tasks seem difficult.


2. When to Use It

This idiom is used to describe someone (or yourself) who is clumsy and uncoordinated, particularly when using their hands. It's often used in situations where someone is struggling with a task that requires fine motor skills.

  • Example: 
    A: How's your knitting project coming along?

    B: It's taking forever. I'm all thumbs.


3. 日本語の同じような表現

日本語で同じような意味を持つフレーズは、「不器用」や「手先が不器用」などがあります。これらの言葉は、手を使う作業が苦手なことを表します。「手こずる」という表現も、状況によっては近い意味合いを持ちます。英語の「All thumbs」と同じように、手先の不器用さや扱いにくさを強調する言葉です。


Conclusion:

"All thumbs" is a common way to describe clumsiness, particularly with the hands. It's a lighthearted idiom that acknowledges the struggles some people have with tasks requiring dexterity.




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