THUMB THROUGH Meaning and
Definition
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Thumb through is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of quickly flipping through the pages of a book or a magazine by sliding the thumb along the edge of the pages. It involves using the thumb as the primary instrument to turn the pages, with minimal involvement of the other fingers. The motion resembles the act of turning the pages with the thumb, but with a faster pace and often less focus on the content.
When someone thumbs through a book or magazine, they are usually skimming or scanning the material rather than reading it in depth. It is a casual and often impulsive way of examining the content to get a general idea of its structure, layout, and topics covered. Thumb-through is often employed when the reader is looking for specific information or trying to quickly determine if the material is of interest.
This term is commonly used in the context of browsing reading materials such as novels, textbooks, or periodicals. Additionally, thumbing through can also involve visually browsing through photo albums, catalogs, or any printed materials organized in a paginated format. It is typically a common activity in libraries, bookstores, newsstands, or when quickly searching for information in printed resources.
Common Misspellings for THUMB THROUGH
Etymology of THUMB THROUGH
The phrase "thumb through" originated from the action of turning the pages of a book or document using one's thumb. The word "thumb" refers to the digit on the hand, while "through" indicates the direction or motion of flipping or leafing through the pages. Therefore, "thumb through" essentially means to rapidly or casually flip through the pages of a book or document by using one's thumb to move from page to page. The etymology of the individual words "thumb" and "through" can be traced back to Middle English and Old English respectively, but their combination in the specific phrase "thumb through" emerged during the 19th century.
Idioms with the word THUMB THROUGH
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thumb through something
The idiom "thumb through something" means to quickly flip through the pages of a book, magazine, or other printed material by using one's thumb to browse or scan the content briefly.
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thumb through sth
The idiom "thumb through something" means to quickly or casually flip through the pages of a book, magazine, or document without reading it thoroughly or extensively.
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thumb through
To quickly turn the pages of a book or magazine without reading it thoroughly; to flip through quickly.
