thumb-twiddling

Updated: May 24, 2025

Either they underestimated our strength at first, or else it required about eight seconds to tune in their heavy generators probably the former." "But we've got to do something, man! We can't just sit here and twiddle our thumbs!" "Why, and why not? That course seems eminently wise and proper. In fact, at the present time, thumb-twiddling is distinctly indicated."

E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith - Skylark Three

"While I make one voyage to Sargol. You can spare me," he dropped one of his big hands on Dane's shoulder and gave the flesh beneath it a quick squeeze. "Seeing as how our juniors helped pull us out of this last mix-up we can trust them about an inch farther than we did before. Anyway Cargo-master on a mail run is more or less a thumb-twiddling job at the best.

Andre Norton - Plague Ship