Thumbs Up
Meaning: a sign that means “good” in the U.S.
Example 1:
Ted: I was so nervous during my presentation in class this morning! I really wanted to do well in front of all those people.
Sheila: Really? You didn’t look nervous at all. I thought you did a great job.
Tom: Well, I started out kind of shaky, but when the teacher gave me the thumbs up from the back of the class, I became more confident and relaxed.
Sheila: That’s good. You deserve a big thumbs up for such a great presentation!
Tom: Thank you! Are you ready for your presentation tomorrow?
Sheila: I don’t know. After I start, could you give me the thumbs up to make me more confident!
Ted: Sure! I know you’ll give a great presentation.
Example 2:
Kim: Wow! That movie was great! I’m giving it a big thumbs up!
Gina: Really? What was it about?
Kim: It was an action movie and the excitement never stopped. There wasn’t one slow scene in the whole movie.
Gina: Well, if you give the movie a thumbs up, then I’ll have to see it. We like the same kind of movies.
Kim: You should definitely see it. You won’t be disappointed!
Meaning:
Thumbs up shows that someone or something is good, especially when it comes to a performance or action with good results. In example 1, Ted was giving a presentation and was doing well, so his teacher gave him a “thumbs up” from the back of the class. We usually use thumbs up with the verb “give.” In example 2, Kim loved the movie she saw, so she gave it a “thumbs up” meaning it was really good.
Thumbs up shows that someone or something is good, especially when it comes to a performance or action with good results. In example 1, Ted was giving a presentation and was doing well, so his teacher gave him a “thumbs up” from the back of the class. We usually use thumbs up with the verb “give.” In example 2, Kim loved the movie she saw, so she gave it a “thumbs up” meaning it was really good.
This idiom can be found in the LSI textbook Speaking Transitions. This book is used in the level 4 Listening/Speaking classes. For more information, please visit: idiomstudy.blogspot.com
