Idiom
green thumb
Meanings
A natural talent or skill for growing plants and making them thrive.
Definition
A green thumb is a natural ability to grow and care for plants successfully.
A green thumb means you are good at gardening and keeping plants healthy. People use it to describe someone whose plants grow well, even with little effort. It can apply to houseplants, flowers, or vegetables. It is often used in phrases like “have a green thumb.”
Examples
- My sister has a green thumb, so her herbs are always thriving.
- I don’t have a green thumb, but I’m trying to keep this cactus alive.
- If you have a green thumb, you should grow tomatoes this summer.
- He inherited a green thumb from his grandmother and fills the house with plants.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say “green finger” in American English, but the usual American idiom is “green thumb.”
More at B2 level
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