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Mr. Tom Posted 9 years ago
Vocabulary

Hold something between the forefinger and thumb

Hi

Is there any verb/phrase in English that is the equivalent of "hold something very carefully between the forefinger and thump "?

In my language there is one...and whose literal translation would be something like "in a pinch" or "with a pinch ".

He held the dead lizard's tail (in a pinch) and threw it in the bin.

Thanks

Tom
  

Top answer

As an alternative, all I can come up with is a nip , although to my mind this would suggest a very brief moment of holding something. Doesn't pinch meet all of your criteria? org/wiki/Pinch_(action) .

— Dokterjokkebrok

  • As an alternative, all I can come up with is a nip , although to my mind this would suggest a very brief moment of holding something.
  • Doesn't pinch meet all of your criteria?
  • org/wiki/Pinch_(action) .
  • DJB
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7 Answers
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As an alternative, all I can come up with is a nip, although to my mind this would suggest a very brief moment of holding something.

Doesn't pinch meet all of your criteria?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinch_(action).

DJB
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Mr. Tomthe forefinger and the thumb"?
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dokterjokkebrok Doesn't pinch meet all of your criteria?
Thanks!

-- and that's what I want to ask. Are these natural enough to native ears? If not, what's the best alternative?

He pinched the dead lizard and threw it away. [-- held it carefully between his forefinger and thumb]
Hold it with a pinch. [-- hol
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Thanks, teechr.

-- but doesn't the first the cover both? the forefingers and (the) thumb

Tom
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Mr. Tombut doesn't the first the cover both? the forefingers and (the) thumb
Perhaps, but on one hand, there's only one forefinger! It's also called the index finger.
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Mr. TomHe pinched the dead lizard and threw it away. [-- held it carefully between his forefinger and thumb]Hold it with a pinch. [-- hold it carefully between your forefinger and thumb]Hold the dirty cloth in a pinch and throw it away.Or will we have to write it complete?
You'll have to write 'between his forefinger and thumb'. A pinch involves firm pressure;
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Mr. TomHe held the dead lizard's tail (in a pinch) and threw it in the bin.
There's no English equivalent. You can have a pinch of salt, but not a pinch of lizard!

Take the lizard gingerly by the tail, and throw it in the bin. ("Close, but no cigar", as we say.)

gingerly: with extreme care or delicacy

CJ
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