all thumbs
Meaning
Very clumsy or awkward with your hands; lacking manual dexterity.
Origin
From the humorous image of having only thumbs instead of fingers, making fine hand movements difficult; recorded in English from the late 1800s/early 1900s.
Notes
Light, mildly humorous way to say someone is clumsy with their hands. Often self-deprecating; can tease others gently, but avoid in harsh or professional criticism.
Examples
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Whenever I try to wrap a present, I’m all thumbs and the tape sticks to everything but the box.
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He felt all thumbs trying to use chopsticks for the first time.
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I was all thumbs with the new camera and accidentally changed all the settings.
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Don’t hand me the fragile glassware—today I’m all thumbs.
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She’s usually steady-handed, but she was all thumbs while setting up the projector in front of everyone.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used predicatively with “be”: “I’m all thumbs.” Can add a domain: “all thumbs with/on/at + task.” Fixed phrase; no article (*not* “an all thumbs”).
Synonyms
- clumsy
- butterfingers
- awkward
- ham-fisted
Antonyms
- deft
- nimble-fingered
- handy
- skilled