lift (redirected from lifts a finger)

*out of context

[of an utterance or the report of an action] removed from the surrounding context of the event, thereby misrepresenting the intent of the utterance or report. (*Typically: be ~; lift something ~; quote someone or something ~; take something ~.) You took her remarks out of context! You're the dishonest person, not her!

See also: context, out

(Could I) give you a lift?

Can I offer you a ride to some place? (Also used with can or may in place of could.) Bill stopped his car at the side of the road where Tom stood. "Can I give you a lift?" asked Bill. John: Well, I've got to leave. Alice: Me, too. John: Give you a lift? Alice: Sure. Thanks.

See also: give

bend one's elbow and bend the elbow; lift one's elbow

to take a drink of an alcoholic beverage; to drink alcohol to excess. He's down at the tavern, bending his elbow. Paul gets lots of exercise. I saw him bend his elbow thirty times at a bar yesterday.

See also: bend, elbow

blow the lid off (something)

Sl. to expose something to public view. The police inspector blew the lid off the work of the gang of thugs. The investigation blew the lid off the scandal.

See also: blow, lid

Could I have a lift? and How about a lift?

Would you please give me a ride (in your car)? (This usually refers to a destination that is the same as the driver's or on the way to the driver's destination. Also used with can or may in place of could.) Bob: Going north? Could I have a lift? Bill: Sure. Hop in. Bob: Thanks. That's such a long walk to the north end of campus. Sue: Can I have a lift? I'm late. Mary: Sure, if you're going somewhere on Maple Street.

See also: could, have

give someone a lift 

1. and give someone a ride Fig. to provide transportation for someone. I've got to get into town. Can you give me a lift?

2. Fig. to raise someone's spirits; to make a person feel better. It was a good conversation, and her kind words really gave me a lift.

See also: give

lift someone or something down (from something)

to move someone or something down (from something or some place) by lifting and carrying. Would you please lift Jimmy down from the top bunk? Frank lifted down the heavy box.

lift someone or something up

to raise someone or something. I helped lift him up and put him on the stretcher. Please lift up Tommy.

See also: up

lift something from someone or something

to raise something off someone or something. Please lift this burden from me. I lifted the glass from the tray carefully.

lift something off (of) someone or something and lift something off

to raise something and uncover or release someone or something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Lift the beam off of him and see if he is still breathing. Please lift off the heavy lid.

lift a hand (against someone or something) and raise a hand (against someone or something)

Fig. to threaten (to strike) someone or something. (Often in the negative. The a hand can be replaced with one's hand.) She's very peaceful. She wouldn't lift a hand against a fly. Would you raise your hand against your own brother?

See also: hand

lift off

[for a plane or rocket] to move upward, leaving the ground. The rocket lifted off exactly on time.

lift up

to raise up. Suddenly, the top of the box lifted up and a hand reached out. Bill's hand lifted up and fell back again.

See also: up

not lift a finger (to help someone) and not lift a hand (to help someone)

Fig. to do nothing to help someone. (The someone is anyone with the negative.) They wouldn't lift a finger to help us. Can you imagine that they wouldn't lift a finger? Sally refused to lift a hand to help her own sister.

See also: finger

Thanks for the ride. and Thanks for the lift.

Thank you for giving me a ride in your car. John (stopping the car): Here we are. Bob: Thanks for the ride. Bye. John: Later. As Fred got out of the car, he said, "Thanks for the lift."

See also: ride, thanks

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not lift a finger

to not help someone to do something, usually because you are lazy (usually + to do sth) He spends all day stretched out on the sofa and never lifts a finger to help.

See blow the lid off

See also: finger

blow/take the lid off something   also lift the lid on something

to cause something bad that was previously kept secret to be known by the public In 1989 they started an investigation that was to blow the lid off corruption in the police force.

See flip lid, keep a lid on, Put a lid on it!, put the lid on

See also: blow, lid

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blow the lid off (something)

to make public something that was previously not known or was hidden He blew the lid off modern photography by publishing gritty, realistic pictures at a time when most photos showed a clean, happy world.

Usage notes: sometimes used with other verbs meaning "remove": Her novel tore the lid off small-town life.

See also: blow, lid

lift the veil

to make something known that was secret before The company lifted the veil on its planned online magazine.

See also: veil

not lift a finger

to refuse to make even a small effort He spends all day stretched out on the couch and doesn't lift a finger to help.

See also: finger