put the finger on (one)
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.
put the finger on someone
and lay the finger on someoneSl. 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.
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.
put the finger on someone
If you put the finger on someone, you tell someone in authority that they have done something wrong or blame them for something bad. A lot of people will point to the defeat and put the finger on the head coach. Their report put the finger on diesel pollution.
put the finger on
inform against someone to the authorities. informalput the finger on someone
tv. to identify someone (for someone else, such as the police). (Underworld.) Tyrone put the finger on the killer, then got out of town fast.
put the finger on
Slang To inform on: The witness put the finger on the killer.