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Idiom

green thumb

noun phrase B2
/ˌɡriːn ˈθʌm/

Meanings

noun phrase

A natural ability to grow plants well and keep them healthy.

Visual cue for green thumb — meaning 1

Definition

A green thumb is a natural skill at growing and caring for plants.

A green thumb means you are good at gardening and keeping plants healthy. People use it to describe someone whose plants grow well and rarely die. It can apply to houseplants, flowers, or vegetables.

Examples

  • My sister has a green thumb, and every plant in her apartment thrives.
  • I thought I had a green thumb until I tried growing orchids.
  • If you have a green thumb, you can make even tricky herbs grow well.
  • He doesn’t have a green thumb, so he buys low-maintenance plants.
  • Grandma’s green thumb turns our yard into a jungle every summer.