thumbs-down
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of thumbs-down
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Please vote against that. That would deter people from voting,” Becerra said, making a thumbs-down gesture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Asking around in recruiting circles, I heard about a man whose candidacy was doomed by a thumbs-down from his stepmother, who worked in the same industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
If a product - say Viennese-style sausages from Kostelecké uzeniny or sliced bread from Penam - belongs to an Agrofert company, a thumbs-down symbol appears.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2025
The media built him up, and as we saw in the Roman colosseum, the thumbs-up can quickly turn to thumbs-down.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2024
I suggested calling Dad, but she gave that a quick thumbs-down, saying he was “too busy” for her.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
