two thumbs up

noun

Strong approval.

“When shown the blueprint for the new building, I gave my two thumbs up to show my approval”

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Meanings

noun
  1. idiomaticStrong approval.
  2. datedA hand gesture indicating strong approval.

    When shown the blueprint for the new building, I gave my two thumbs up to show my approval

    2 more examples

    Two thumbs up means everything on time and perfect.

    1935 July 7, “GLOSSARY OF RADIO'S NEW TERMS COMPILED”, in Los Angeles Times

    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

    1963 October 18, “Three More Negroes Register To Vote In Louisiana Town”, in Toledo Blade

Origin

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.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

“two thumbs up.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/two%20thumbs%20up. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

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

Source: two thumbs up on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.