hand waving

noun

1. insubstantial words, arguments, gestures, or actions used in an attempt to explain or persuade.

Example Sentences

My maternal grandfather always insisted that I should learn how to speak, not "the hand waving thing."

From The Daily Beast

In another minute Midge was on her sled, and, with one red-mittened hand waving on high, was whizzing down the hill.

From Project Gutenberg

And suddenly he saw again Irene's grey-gloved hand waving its last gesture of release.

From Project Gutenberg

She saw, however, a dark figure on a couch and a white jeweled hand waving a fan indolently to and fro.

From Project Gutenberg

And Heartsease saw her mother's hand waving through the thick bars of the narrow window of the castle.

From Project Gutenberg

The lines pass between hand-waving crowds of friends from the entire neighborhood.

From Project Gutenberg