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3. not lift a finger

not lift a finger

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not lift a finger (to help someone)

 and not lift a hand (to help someone)

Fig. to do nothing to help someone. (The someone is anyone with the negative.) They wouldn't lift a finger to help us. Can you imagine that they wouldn't lift a finger? Sally refused to lift a hand to help her own sister.

See also: finger, lift, not

not lift a finger

to refuse to make even a small effort He spends all day stretched out on the couch and doesn't lift a finger to help.

See also: finger, lift, not

not lift a finger

Refuse to exert oneself to help or perform an action. For example, Dad won't lift a finger to help them financially, or Early in the war, America officially would not lift a finger. [Mid-1900s]

See also: finger, lift, not