itchy

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an itchy palm

What one is said to have when they need or want 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."

See also: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

*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.

See also: itchy, 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]

See also: itchy, palm

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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.

See also: itchy, palm

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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.