an itchy palm

A desire for a tip or bribe. A: "I can't believe that guy at the desk actually answered all of your questions!" B: "Ah, he just had an itchy palm—a little money made him more inclined to talk." I've been a lobbyist for years, so I know that most politicians have an itchy palm. Take care of that, and you'll get things done the way you want. There's always a way to get what you want—you just need to figure out which members of the administrative board have an itchy palm.

an itchy trigger finger

1. An inclination or readiness to shoot a gun (especially at someone) without needing much or any provocation or justification. I wouldn't stay too long around here—there are a lot of people with itchy trigger fingers in this part of town. Well, you did leave Susie at the altar. Her father doesn't normally have an itchy trigger finger, but for you, I think he'd make an exception! I have no idea why he came back. He knows he's one of the most hated men in these parts—and that a lot of fellas here have an itchy trigger finger!

2. By extension, an inclination, readiness, or tendency to act or react carelessly, rashly, or without due consideration. John's itchy trigger finger is going to get him into trouble with his boss someday. When you're working in a restaurant, it's important not to have an itchy trigger finger when customers come to you with complaints. Look, you can't have an itchy trigger finger in a job like this—it demands calm and patience.

get itchy feet

To feel the urge to stray from one's routine, often by traveling. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Every so often, Claire gets itchy feet and sets off for a foreign destination. Boy, do I get itchy feet looking at the beautiful pictures in those travel brochures! I can't believe Adam's settled down with a house in the suburbs! The Adam I knew in college always got itchy feet—he even backpacked through Europe one summer!

get itchy fingers

To be or become eager to begin, undertake, or become involved in some work or task, especially one that involves one's hands. You're going to get itchy fingers once you see these nine awesome do-it-yourself projects that can do with things around the house! I finally took a two-week vacation, but as soon as I began to relax, I started getting itchy fingers to do something—anything—productive. My dad worked in construction, so he tends to get itchy fingers when he sees things around our house that need fixing.

give (one) itchy feet

To cause one to feel the urge to stray from one's routine, often by traveling. The beautiful pictures in those travel brochures always give me itchy feet. The mere thought of settling down in the suburbs gives me itchy feet! This beautiful spring weather is giving me itchy feet. I think I'm gonna take the day off and go to the botanical garden.

have an itchy palm

To be looking for a bribe or payout; to be greedy or corrupt. A: "I can't believe that guy at the desk actually answered all of your questions!" B: "Ah, he just had an itchy palm—a little money made him more inclined to talk." These wealthy businesses shape the law by finding politicians who have itchy palms. There's always a way to get what you want—you just need to figure out which members of the administrative board have an itchy palm.

have itchy feet

To feel the urge to stray from one's routine, often by traveling. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Every so often, Claire has itchy feet and sets off for a foreign destination. Boy, do I have itchy feet looking at the beautiful pictures in those travel brochures! I can't believe Adam's settled down with a house in the suburbs! The Adam I knew in college always had itchy feet—he even backpacked through Europe one summer!

have itchy fingers

To be eager to begin, undertake, or become involved in some work or task, especially one that involves one's hands. You're going to have itchy fingers once you see these nine awesome do-it-yourself projects that can do with things around the house! I finally took a two-week vacation, but as soon as I began to relax, I started having itchy fingers to do something—anything—productive. My dad worked in construction, so he tends to have itchy fingers when he sees things around our house that need fixing.

itchy feet

The urge to stray from one's routine, often by traveling. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Every so often, Claire has itchy feet and sets off for a foreign destination. Boy, do I have itchy feet looking at the beautiful pictures in those travel brochures! I can't believe Adam's settled down with a house in the suburbs! The Adam I knew in college always got itchy feet—he even backpacked through Europe one summer!

*itchy feet

Fig. the need to leave; a feeling of a need to travel. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Hearing the train whistle at night gives me itchy feet.

*itchy palm

and *itching palm

Fig. [of a hand] in need of a tip. (As if placing money in the palm would stop the itching. *Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) All the waiters at that restaurant have itchy palms. The cabdriver was troubled by an itching palm. Since he refused to carry my bags, I gave him nothing. Whenever he sees expensive luggage, the hotel doorman gets an itching palm.

itchy palm

Also, itching palm. A desire for money, greed; also, wanting a bribe. For example, The porter has an itchy palm; he wants a big tip, or The mayor was known for his itchy palm. This expression alludes to placing money in the palm of the hand. [Late 1500s]

itchy feet

BRITISH

If you have itchy feet, you want to go somewhere new or start doing something new. I hated living in London, and I started getting itchy feet. Hearing about Sally's job had given me itchy feet and within a couple of months I left the company.

itchy fingers

mainly BRITISH

If you have itchy fingers, you are very keen to get involved in a particular activity. I went into town to watch people playing chess. After a few days of this I started getting itchy fingers.

get (or have) itchy feet

be restless; have a strong urge to travel or move from place to place. informal

get/have itchy ˈfeet

(informal) a desire to travel, move house, change your job, etc: He never stays in a job long. He gets itchy feet after two or three years.

an itchy palm

A strong desire for money, especially bribes.

itchy palm, to have an

Corruptible, greedy, asking for a bribe. This term, like so many, was originated by Shakespeare. In Julius Caesar (4.3) Brutus says, “Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm.” See also grease someone's palm.