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Newguest Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary

Hanging by thumbs

Hi

It's a line from a song: I'm hanging by my thumbs, I'm ready for whatever comes......

---- Is there an English idiom "hang by one's thumbs" or is it just for the rhyme? I suppose it means that I was hanging on something supporting myself on thumbs.
  

Top answer

Hanging one by the thumbs was/is a form of torture, popular because it leaves no scars. My guess is that in this song, the person feels ill at ease, to say the least, and probably anxious to get the situation solved soon.

— Philip

  • Hanging one by the thumbs was/is a form of torture, popular because it leaves no scars.
  • My guess is that in this song, the person feels ill at ease, to say the least, and probably anxious to get the situation solved soon.
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4 Answers
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Hanging one by the thumbs was/is a form of torture, popular because it leaves no scars. My guess is that in this song, the person feels ill at ease, to say the least, and probably anxious to get the situation solved soon.
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I found something about it on the net. Thanks!
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Love rescue me, right?

I'm hanging by my thumbs, I am ready for whatever comes. Love rescue me...

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