thumb through
(redirected from leaf 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.
thumb through something
and leaf through somethingto 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.
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.