wag a finger

present singular third person wags a finger · participle present wagging a finger · participle past wagged a finger · past wagged a finger · alternative wag one's finger

1. idiomaticoftenTo express one's annoyance with, or disapproval of, someone's actions.

   In reality Infantino has presided over a World Cup staged in a repressive state that has feasted on those who built its palaces, and has barely wagged a finger at Iran’s regime in the lead up to their appearance here.

   2022 November 21, Barney Ronay, “Iran’s brave and powerful gesture is a small wonder from a World Cup of woe”, in The Guardian

   1 more example

   “Edge of the Edge” pairs a playful sample of the doo-wop group Randy & the Rainbows’ 1963 hit “Denise” with Panda’s serenely melodic vocals, which cut through the carefree, pop-psychedelic vibe with some light social critique: “Can’t say it’s what you bargained for,” he sings, wagging a finger at the frenzied escalation of technology, “It’s forever at the push of a button.”

   2022 August 5, Jon Caramanica, Lindsay Zoladz, “Carly Rae Jepsen’s Brand-New Boy Problems, and 7 More New Songs”, in The New York Times