a thumbs down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thumbs down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express disapproval or rejection of something, such as an idea, proposal, or performance. Example: "The audience gave a thumbs down to the movie, indicating they did not enjoy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

That answer, alas, was a thumbs down as well.

The New York Times - Arts

But another Republican gave a thumbs down, and the officers were dismissed for the day.

The New York Times

The outflow is not necessarily a thumbs down on the dollar's prospects, says Mr. Jen.

The New York Times

Each challenge completed gets a "thumbs up"; each one refused, a "thumbs down".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A thumbs down from the IMF at this stage could make the debate about devaluation and default academic.

The Economist

Asked by reporters about his feelings on the stalk vegetable, Bush gave a thumbs down, and said, 'Make it cauliflower'".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Microsoft quickly gave the contest a thumbs-down.

The New York Times

She punctuated this raspberry with a thumbs-down.

The New York Times

One woman simply gave him a thumbs-down as he passed her.

The New York Times

Instead, a thumbs-down view will soon be counteracted by thumbs up from other readers.

The New York Times - Science

Turning to the follow-up car, he made a thumbs-down gesture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with action-oriented verbs like "give", "receive", "result in" or "get" to ensure natural flow.

Common error

Do not use "a thumb down" to describe general disapproval. The idiom is fixed in the plural form "thumbs down", even though a physical gesture might involve only one thumb. Using the singular form sounds unnatural to native speakers.

How to use

Learn how to use "a thumbs down" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, "a thumbs down" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a direct object in most sentence structures, typically following transitive verbs. According to Ludwig AI, it is often the direct result of a process or a specific signal given by an authority figure or audience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, "a thumbs down" is a well-established idiomatic noun phrase used to signal rejection or disapproval. Analysis of the search data reveals a high frequency of use in major publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves as a vivid alternative to more clinical words like "rejection". While the phrase is grammatically solid and widely understood, writers should differentiate between the noun form and the adjectival form (often hyphenated as "<a href="/s/thumbs-down" target="_blank" rel="alternative">thumbs-down"). It is a versatile choice for journalistic and general creative writing but should be used sparingly in highly formal academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rejection

Provides a more formal and direct statement of the outcome

a negative verdict

Adds a sense of official judgment or a formal conclusion

disapproval

Focuses on the feeling or attitude rather than the symbolic gesture

an unfavorable response

Softens the impact while remaining clearly negative

a vote against

Specifies that the rejection came from a collective decision or poll

a flat refusal

Emphasizes the absolute and uncompromising nature of the rejection

a dismissal

Suggests that the subject was not only rejected but ignored

an adverse decision

Used in professional or legal contexts to denote an unfavorable result

a no-go

More informal and suggests that a project or idea cannot proceed

a cold shoulder

Shifts the meaning slightly toward social rejection or indifference

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a thumbs down"?

Depending on your context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/a+rejection" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a rejection", "<a href="/s/a+negative+response" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a negative response", or "<a href="/s/disapproval" target="_blank" rel="alternative">disapproval".

Is it "a thumbs down" or "a thumbs-down"?

Both are acceptable. Typically, "a thumbs down" acts as a standalone noun phrase, while "<a href="/s/a+thumbs-down+review" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a thumbs-down review" uses the hyphenated form to modify the noun that follows it.

How do you use "a thumbs down" in a sentence?

It is most frequently used with verbs of delivery or receipt. For example, "The test results gave the project "<a href="/s/a+thumbs+down" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a thumbs down" for efficiency."

Is "a thumbs down" formal enough for an essay?

In academic writing, it is often better to use more precise terms like "<a href="/s/a+rejection" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a rejection" or "<a href="/s/an+adverse+finding" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an adverse finding" rather than the idiomatic "a thumbs down".