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.
Japan and Australia have both given thumbs down.
From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026
“The content does not violate our advertising policies. However, users can mark any ad with a thumbs up or thumbs down to help manage their ads preferences.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025
“It does get better,” and now she assesses risks from activities and foods with a quick thumbs up or thumbs down.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025
Thumbs up for a Brighton win, thumbs down for an Everton victory.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2024
The crowd jeered and hollered and pointed their thumbs down.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
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.
