finger drill

noun

A simplified form of preparation for a task, in which a team verbally describes each portion of the task, counted sequentially (thus evoking a sense of "fingers"), rather than engaging in practice exercises or training.

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Meanings

nounfinger drill (plural finger drills)

plural finger drills

  1. USderogatoryoftengovernmentA simplified form of preparation for a task, in which a team verbally describes each portion of the task, counted sequentially (thus evoking a sense of "fingers"), rather than engaging in practice exercises or training.

Origin

From finger + drill (“an activity done as an exercise or practice”).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

finger drill. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/finger%20drill

MLA

“finger drill.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/finger%20drill. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “finger drill,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/finger%20drill.

Source: finger drill on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.