MicroEnglish.

To not lift a finger
Idioms | C1

Listening exercises with “To not lift a finger”

If you complain about someone not lifting a finger, then you are accusing them of being extremely lazy and not even doing the smallest amount to help. This expression is usually used in grammatically negative sentences, e.g. I had to do all the tidying up myself. He didn’t lift a finger to help.

It is possible to use this expression in grammatically positive sentences in certain structures, e.g. It would be nice if he lifted a finger to help occasionally, or He actually lifted a finger to help for once. In both these sentences, the suggestion is that the person normally doesn’t lift a finger to help.

Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Accent: Scottish

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.
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really you never around .
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Accent: Ireland

80%
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, .
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ever to help, and lets him it.
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Accent: England (RP)

80%
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. ?
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She hasn’t help since . Can you her?
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In

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5 responses

  1. Marisela Avatar
    Marisela

    I always try hard to pull my weight when it comes to help around the house. I’m not a sort of person who doesn’t lift a finger.

    Reply
    1. Chris Bargery Avatar
      Chris Bargery

      One tiny suggestion – I would say “…when it comes to helping around the house…”. Remember that when you use a verb instead of a noun, we need the -ing form.

      Reply
  2. Lena Avatar
    Lena

    Hi Chris:) As more I learn new expressions as more I notice similarities between English and Russian languages:) Literally each your expression has twin in my native language with the same sense! I wonder how it really can be?Different countries, different people and cultures,thousands kilometers between us and nevertheless we have so much common !To tell the truth I often listen your micro -lessons and with great pleasure but if one tells about somebody who doesn’t lift a finger about the house it isn’t about me absolutely 🙂

    Reply
  3. AlineS Avatar
    AlineS

    I’ve never lived with a person that never lifts a finger around the house. I would be fed up with it. I have an aunt who doesn’t lift a finger when she is in someone’s house. I don’t know if it’s just lazyness or she doesn’t realise everybody is helping with the house, but her.

    Reply
    1. Chris Bargery Avatar
      Chris Bargery

      Great answer Aline! One correction on spelling: laziness.

      Reply

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