How to Pronounce "thumb on the scale"
expression
THUHM on thuh SKAYL
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.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈθəm/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈskeɪɫ
British English
θˈʌm/ /ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /skˈeɪl
Simplified Pronunciation
US
THUHM on thuh SKAYL
UK
THUM on the SKAYL
Listen in Context
The judge was accused of putting his thumb on the scale during the trial.
It’s unfair to put your thumb on the scale in a competition.
The company put its thumb on the scale to win the contract.
Are you sure no one put a thumb on the scale in this decision?