thumb through (something)

thumb through (something)

To casually peruse or look at the pages in a book, magazine, or other reading material without much attention or scrutiny. I thumbed through the sports section while waiting at the doctor's office, but I was too nervous to pay attention to it. I thumbed through your proposal, and even at first glance I can tell you that it won't be approved by the board.

See also: through, thumb

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

thumb through something

 and leaf through something

to look through a book, magazine, or newspaper, without reading it carefully. I've only thumbed through this book, but it looks very interesting. I leafed through a magazine while waiting to see the doctor.

See also: through, thumb

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

thumb through

v.

To go through some reading material quickly or superficially, turning from page to page with or as if with the thumb: I thumbed through the directory for my dentist's phone number.

See also: through, thumb

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.