put the finger on

put the finger on (one)

To identify and accuse one of doing something; to inform on one to an authority figure. Don't you dare put the finger on me! I had nothing to do with the deal going sour. I fear my life is in danger now that I've put the finger on the mob boss.

See also: finger, on, put

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

put the finger on someone

 and lay the finger on someone

Sl. to accuse someone; to identify someone as the one who did something. Tom put the finger on John, and John is really mad. He'd better not lay the finger on me. I didn't do it.

See also: finger, on, put

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

put the finger on

Inform on, as in The witness put the finger on the defendant. [Slang; c. 1920] Also see put one's finger on.

See also: finger, on, put

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.

put the finger on

inform against someone to the authorities. informal

See also: finger, on, put

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

put the finger on

Slang

To inform on: The witness put the finger on the killer.

See also: finger, on, put

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.