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finger in the air
01
an unscientific or inaccurate estimate or method
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "finger in the air" and when to use it?
The exact origin of the idiom "finger in the air" is uncertain, but it likely stems from the idea of testing the wind's direction by raising a finger and feeling the airflow. This action is often used metaphorically to represent making a rough estimate or guess based on instinct or intuition rather than precise measurement or calculation.
Examples
The budget was just a finger-in-the-air estimate, not a real calculation.
