thumbs up

USAGE SUMMARY

"thumbs up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as a gesture of approval or agreement. For example, "I'm so glad that you're feeling better; thumbs up!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Thumbs up?

The New York Times

Thumbs up meant "We're fucked".

The New Yorker

"Two thumbs up!" he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Thumbs up to the post!

University of California, Berkeley

"Keep showing thumbs up".

The New York Times

Thumbs up?" Austin smiled.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

It got mostly thumbs ups.

The New York Times

Keep Your Thumb Up!

WikiHow

Verdict: thumbs-up!

The New Yorker

Mine is a thumbs-up.

The New Yorker

Thumbs-up from my doctor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thumbs up" in formal writing, consider replacing it with a more professional term like "approval" or "positive feedback" for a more polished tone.

Common error

Avoid using "thumbs up" in formal reports or academic papers. It can come across as unprofessional. Instead, opt for phrases like "approved" or "endorsed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thumbs up" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression signifying approval, agreement, or a positive evaluation. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used to convey a quick and easily understood affirmation. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thumbs up" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey approval or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. While predominantly found in News & Media and informal contexts, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "approval" or "positive feedback" in professional or academic settings. The gesture itself, represented by the phrase, serves as a quick and universally understood sign of affirmation. While "thumbs up" is a useful shorthand, remember to consider your audience and context to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approval

Replaces the idiomatic gesture with a direct expression of positive sentiment.

good job

Offers a straightforward commendation, suitable in many contexts where "thumbs up" would be used.

well done

Similar to "good job", but can imply acknowledgement of a task completed successfully.

kudos

A more formal term for praise, appropriate in professional settings.

excellent

Directly expresses a high level of satisfaction or agreement.

great

A simple and versatile affirmation, suitable for informal situations.

satisfactory

Expresses that something meets the required standards.

positive

Indicates a favorable assessment or outcome.

affirmative

A formal expression of agreement or consent.

all right

Indicates acceptance or agreement, often used informally.

FAQs

How can I use "thumbs up" in a sentence?

You can use "thumbs up" to indicate approval or agreement, such as "The team gave the proposal a thumbs up" or "I give this movie a thumbs up".

What can I say instead of "thumbs up"?

You can use alternatives like "approval", "well done", or "excellent" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "thumbs up" in formal communication?

While "thumbs up" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate to use more formal expressions like "positive feedback" or "endorsement" in professional settings.

What does it mean when someone gives a "thumbs up"?

Giving a "thumbs up" is a gesture that typically means approval, agreement, or that something is well done. The opposite of "thumbs up" is a "thumbs down", indicating disapproval.