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Glite Dictionary
to turn thumbs down

to turn thumbs down

1 7.0
To show that you do not agree with or support something
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : dar el visto bueno

Examples

  • No, it cries out for a response from voters in which they turn thumbs down on the party from which this hateful and irresponsible crap issues.

    Blog text (18)

  • The committee turned thumbs down on the proposed budget cuts after much debate.

  • Voters turned thumbs down on the new development plan during the referendum.

  • The board unanimously turned thumbs down on the controversial policy changes.

Synonyms

to reject
vsto turn thumbs down
839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

is used especially for formal collective decisions or public expressions of disapproval
to turn down
vsto turn thumbs down
312 2.9

Refuse an offer, invitation, or request

is broader, applying to public or collective disapproval beyond offers
to disapprove
vsto turn thumbs down
94 2.9

To think something is wrong or bad and show it

is more specific to casting a negative ballot as public disapproval
to turn against
vsto turn thumbs down
77 3.8

To start opposing someone you once supported

is an immediate act of using ballots or showing disapproval not a gradual change
to vote out
vsto turn thumbs down
57 3.2

Reject a proposal by voting against it

is general disapproval or collective negative decision not limited to removal
to shoot down
vsto turn thumbs down
  • Informal
31 3.8

Say no to an idea or plan in a sudden, strong way

is similar but also covers formal ballots and milder public disapproval
to frown upon
vsto turn thumbs down
23 4.2

To think something is not acceptable

is similar but can include private or informal expressions of disapproval
to vote down
vsto turn thumbs down
18 4.2

Reject a proposal or plan because more people say no

is broader and covers using ballots or other ways of showing disapproval
to frown on
vsto turn thumbs down
14 3.9

To show that you do not approve of something, often for social or official reasons

is often expressed by formal ballots or clear public rejection
to vote nay
vsto turn thumbs down
  • Formal
2 7.0

To say 'nay' when voting to show you are against a proposal

is any public act of using ballots or showing disapproval

Antonyms

to approve
∞ 1.6

To officially agree to something or think that it is good

How Approving

to endorse
183 4.2
to accept
793 1.0
to turn thumbs down
1 7.0
to oppose
∞ 2.9
to condemn
298 4.0

Surface Forms

turn thumbs down infinitive
turned thumbs down past
turned thumbs down past participle
turning thumbs down present participle
turns thumbs down third person singular

Morphology

turn + thumb + down

The phrase literally describes turning one's thumb(s) downward, which directly evokes the familiar thumbs‑down gesture used to signal rejection or disapproval, so a learner who knows 'turn', 'thumb(s)' and 'down' can often infer a meaning related to negative judgment. However, this inference depends on cultural/pragmatic knowledge of the gesture rather than purely compositional semantics, so the meaning is not fully predictable for all B1 learners without exposure.

Etymology

The phrase turn thumbs down comes from one popular story about ancient Rome: people used their thumbs to decide a fighter's fate, and a thumb pushed down meant 'no' while a thumb up meant 'yes'. So today turn thumbs down means 'to vote against' or 'to show disapproval'.