give (one) the finger

1. To raise the middle finger (a rude gesture of anger or displeasure) at one. What are you giving me the finger for, I didn't even say anything insulting! I gave my brother the finger after he said that he'd never seen a worse basketball player than me. The player got in trouble when cameras caught him giving an opponent the finger.

2. To treat one poorly or display contempt for one. Making us sit in the very back row is basically his way of giving us the finger. Would you relax? I don't think he was trying to give you the finger by not inviting you—it was just an oversight. I already thought those people didn't like me, and they really gave me the finger by not sending a car to pick me up from the airport!

give someone/something the finger

INFORMAL

1. If you give someone or something the finger, you do something which shows your anger at them or lack of respect for them. His business would be more successful if he didn't give the finger to most of the commercial opportunities that come his way. He could afford to give the finger to people like that.

2. If you give someone the finger, you make an offensive gesture with one hand, with the middle finger pointing up and the other fingers bent over. The great thrill was to give passers-by the finger through the window.

See also: finger, give, someone, something

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