two thumbs up
English
Etymology
American film critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel co-hosted a movie review program, At the Movies. The two had different tastes, and often verbally sparred and traded humorous barbs. When both critics gave the film a thumbs up, it was assumed that the film was very good.
Noun
two thumbs up
- (idiomatic) Strong approval.
- (dated) A hand gesture indicating strong approval.
- 1935 July 7, “GLOSSARY OF RADIO'S NEW TERMS COMPILED”, in Los Angeles Times:
- Two thumbs up means everything on time and perfect.
- 1963 October 18, “Three More Negroes Register To Vote In Louisiana Town”, in Toledo Blade:
- As he walked out of the court house, he showed two thumbs up and reached in his pocket to display his registration slip to some 30 other Negroes
- (Can we add an example for this sense?)
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See also
- five-by-five