lay a finger on

English

Etymology

From Middle English fynger on (hem) to leyn (“touch (someone) with hostile intent”).

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Verb

lay a finger on (third-person singular simple present lays a finger on, present participle laying a finger on, simple past and past participle laid a finger on)

1. (idiomatic, colloquial) To merely touch.

   If you lay a finger on my little brother, I'll have your guts for garters.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lay,‎ a,‎ finger,‎ on: to finger