lift a finger

lever le petit doigt, faire un effort

Faire le moindre effort pour aider ou agir ; s'emploie généralement dans une phrase négative.

En anglais simple : To make even a small effort to help or do something, usually used with a negative.

• He never lifts a finger to help.
• I did all the cooking, and nobody lifted a finger.
• You expect the house cleaned without lifting a finger yourself?

Comment l'utiliser : not lift a finger to do something (He did not lift a finger to help us.); without lifting a finger (She got everything done without lifting a finger.)

Synonymes : make an effort, help

Expressions courantes : lift a finger, never lift a finger

lever un doigt

Déplacer un doigt vers le haut.

En anglais simple : To move one finger upward.

• Lift a finger if you can hear me.
• She lifted a finger to point at the mark.
• Can you lift a finger without moving your hand?

Synonymes : raise a finger

Expressions courantes : lift a finger, lift a finger slowly

agir contre, riposter

Agir pour punir quelqu'un ou riposter, au lieu de seulement se plaindre.

En anglais simple : To take action to punish someone or fight back, rather than only complain.

• They complained but never lifted a finger against him.
• The authorities would not lift a finger to punish the attackers.
• Will voters lift a finger against such unfair treatment?

Comment l'utiliser : lift a finger against someone/something (Nobody dared lift a finger against the cruel ruler.)

Synonymes : take action, retaliate

Expressions courantes : lift a finger, lift a finger against