twiddle one's thumbs: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  UKUSWorldwideinformal
  • To remain idle or do nothing while waiting or when there is nothing to do.

  Examples

  Beta

  • With nothing to do for hours, I just twiddled my thumbs waiting for the meeting to start.

    Sin nada que hacer durante horas, solo me quedé esperando sin hacer nada a que comenzara la reunión.

  • Don’t just twiddle your thumbs while the project is stalled; find something productive to do.

    No te quedes sin hacer nada mientras el proyecto está detenido; encuentra algo productivo que hacer.

  • He twiddled his thumbs nervously before the interview began.

    Se inquietó moviendo los pulgares antes de que comenzara la entrevista.

• 2.

  UKUSWorldwideinformal
  • To fidget aimlessly by rotating or moving one's thumbs, often as a sign of boredom or nervousness.

  Examples

  Beta

  • She twiddled her thumbs anxiously during the long wait for test results.

    Ella movía los pulgares nerviosamente durante la larga espera de los resultados del examen.

  • I noticed him twiddling his thumbs out of boredom during the lecture.

    Lo noté moviendo los pulgares por aburrimiento durante la clase.

  • They twiddled their thumbs while waiting for the delayed flight to board.

    Ellos movían los pulgares mientras esperaban abordar el vuelo retrasado.