Put the finger on Meaning in English
expression
ˈpʊt/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈfɪŋɡɝ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
PUT thuh FING-ger on
pʊt/ /ðə, ði/ /fˈɪŋɡɐ/ /ˈɒn
put thuh FING-guh on
Definition
To reveal the identity of someone, especially to the authorities, often implying betrayal or informing on them.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and idiomatic, mainly in American English. Often used about crime or wrongdoing, with a negative sense of betrayal. Similar expressions: 'rat out', 'snitch on'. Not typically used in positive contexts.
Spanish: delatar - identificar (culpable)Portuguese (BR): dedurar - apontar (culpado)Portuguese (PT): denunciar - identificar (culpado)Chinese (Simplified): 告发 - 指认 (罪犯)Chinese (Traditional): 告發 - 指認 (罪犯)Hindi: चुगली करना - दोषी की पहचान करनाArabic: الإبلاغ عن - تحديد (المذنب)Bengali: চুপিচুপি告密 করা - কাউকে ধরিয়ে দেওয়াRussian: настучать - сдать (кого-то полиции)Japanese: チクる - 密告するVietnamese: chỉ điểm - báo cáo (ai đó)Korean: 고자질하다 - 밀고하다Turkish: ihbar etmek - gammazlamakUrdu: چغلی کھانا - مخبری کرناIndonesian: mengadukan - melaporkan (secara diam-diam)
Example Sentences
He decided to put the finger on his partner to avoid jail.
basic
She refused to put the finger on anyone in the group.
basic
The police asked him to put the finger on the thief.
basic
Nobody wants to be the one to put the finger on their friends.
natural
He finally put the finger on the mastermind behind the scam.
natural
It takes courage to put the finger on someone dangerous.
natural