pulse (redirected from taking the pulse)

keep one's finger on the pulse of something

Fig. to monitor the current state of something frequently. I have to keep my finger on the pulse of the city if I want to be a good reporter. It is hard to keep your finger on the pulse of Washington, D.C., but a U.S. senator must do it.

See also: finger, keep

pulse through someone or something

to flow or surge through someone or something. A jolt of electricity pulsed through Sam, causing him to jerk his hand away from the wire. They repaired the power lines and electricity began to pulse through the wires again.

See also: through

take someone's pulse

to measure the frequency of the beats of a person's pulse. I can take my own pulse. The nurse took my pulse and said I was fine.

See also: take

take the pulse of something

Fig. to sample or survey something to learn about its progress or state. Two executives came in to take the pulse of the local business unit.

See also: take

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have your finger on the pulse

to be familiar with the most recent developments Whoever designed the new model obviously had their finger on the pulse - it's precisely the sort of computer everyone's been waiting for.

See also: finger, have

quicken your/the pulse

to make someone excited or interested There's nothing in this book to quicken the pulse.

See also: quicken

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your finger on the pulse (of something)

knowledge of what is happening now in a particular area They've got their finger on the pulse of popular culture in Latvia.

See also: finger

quicken the pulse also quicken somebody's pulse

to cause excitement or interest There's nothing in this book to quicken the pulse.

See also: quicken