finger-wag

English

Alternative forms

  • finger wag
  • fingerwag

Etymology

finger + wag.

Verb

finger-wag (third-person singular simple present finger-wags, present participle finger-wagging, simple past and past participle finger-wagged)

  1. To move the index finger horizontally back and forth, as to say no or reject something.
  2. To move the index finger repeatedly up and down, as to threaten or reprimand someone.
    • 2018, Nicole Seymour, Bad Environmentalism, page 246:
      For these and other reasons, I disagree with reecent critiques of the film, such as Matt Novak's finger-wagging thinkpiece, "Idiocracy Is a Cruel Movie and You Should Be Ashamed for Liking It." (2014)

Translations

Noun

finger-wag (plural finger-wags)

  1. The movement of the index finger horizontally back and forth, as to say no or reject something.
  2. The movement of the index finger repeatedly up and down, as to threaten or reprimand someone.
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