Last Updated：2025/11/20

to circle one's thumbs around one another, usually with the fingers interlaced, usually done idly while waiting or bored

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twiddle one's thumbs

Source Word

twiddle one's thumbs

Verb

idiomatic

to circle one's thumbs around one another, usually with the fingers interlaced, usually done idly while waiting or bored

Japanese Meaning

待ち時間や退屈を感じるときに、意識せずに両手の親指を互いに回しながら弄ぶ行為 / 時間を持て余して、無意識に指をくるくると動かす行動

It's common to twiddle one's thumbs while waiting in line.

列に並んで待っていると、指を組んで親指をくるくる回すことがよくあります。

Sense（1）

to circle one's thumbs around one another, usually with the fingers interlaced, usually done idly while waiting or bored

Sense（2）

(idiomatic) To wait or dawdle; to accomplish nothing useful or lack a useful occupation.

twiddles one's thumbs

（ present singular third-person ）

twiddling one's thumbs

（ participle present ）

twiddled one's thumbs

（ participle past ）

twiddled one's thumbs

（ past ）