Thumb on the scale Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈθəm/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈskeɪɫ

THUHM on thuh SKAYL

UK

θˈʌm/ /ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /skˈeɪl

THUM on the SKAYL

Definition

To secretly do something that unfairly changes the result, especially to give an advantage to one side; literally, it refers to pressing a thumb on a scale to make something weigh more.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiomatic, somewhat informal expression used to accuse or suggest cheating, bias, or unfair influence in results, business, or decisions. Not literal—doesn't refer to actual weighing anymore. Common in politics, business, and any unfair competition.

• Spanish: hacer trampa - manipular el resultado (literalmente: poner el pulgar en la balanza)
• Portuguese (BR): burlar balança - manipular resultado (literalmente: colocar o polegar na balança)
• Portuguese (PT): falsificar a balança - manipular resultado (literalmente: pôr o polegar na balança)
• Chinese (Simplified): 暗中作弊 - 操纵结果（字面意思：在秤上按拇指）
• Chinese (Traditional): 暗中作弊 - 操縱結果（字面意思：在秤上按拇指）
• Hindi: वजन में हेरफेर करना - परिणाम को प्रभावित करना (शाब्दिक अर्थ: तराजू पर अंगूठा रखना)
• Arabic: التلاعب بالنتيجة - الغش (حرفياً: وضع الإبهام على الميزان)
• Bengali: ফলাফল জালিয়াতি - প্রতারনা করা (শব্দিক অর্থ: পাল্লায় আঙুল চাপা)
• Russian: искажать результат - подтасовывать (буквально: палец на весах)
• Japanese: 不正行為をする - 結果を操作する（直訳：はかりに親指をのせる）
• Vietnamese: gian lận - thao túng kết quả (nghĩa đen: để ngón tay cái lên cân)
• Korean: 조작하다 - 결과를 조종하다 (직역: 저울에 엄지손가락을 올리다)
• Turkish: hile yapmak - sonucu manipüle etmek (kelime anlamı: terazide başparmak tutmak)
• Urdu: نیتجہ میں گڑبڑ کرنا - دھوکہ دینا (لفظی معنی: ترازو پر انگوٹھا رکھنا)
• Indonesian: mengakali timbangan - memanipulasi hasil (arti harfiah: meletakkan ibu jari di timbangan)

Example Sentences

The judge was accused of putting his thumb on the scale during the trial.

basic

It’s unfair to put your thumb on the scale in a competition.

basic

The company put its thumb on the scale to win the contract.

basic

Are you sure no one put a thumb on the scale in this decision?

natural

Sometimes it feels like the referees have their thumbs on the scale for the home team.

natural

If the results were fair, nobody would have to worry about someone having their thumb on the scale.

natural