How to Pronounce "twiddle your thumbs"
expression
ˈtwɪdəɫ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈθəmz
TWID-uhl yor THUHMZ
twˈɪdəl/ /jˈɔː/ /θˈʌmz
twID-uhl yaw THUMZ
Definition
To do nothing and wait idly, often by moving your thumbs in circles around each other when you have nothing to do.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈtwɪdəɫ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈθəmz
British English
twˈɪdəl/ /jˈɔː/ /θˈʌmz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
TWID-uhl yor THUHMZ
UK
twID-uhl yaw THUMZ
Listen in Context
I had to twiddle my thumbs while I waited for my friend to arrive.
The students sat and twiddled their thumbs because the teacher was late.
If there's nothing to do, I just twiddle my thumbs.
We were stuck in traffic, just twiddling our thumbs for an hour.