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Region: General | Usage example: She keeps her finger on the pulse of social media.

Finger on the pulse

Meaning

Be very aware of current trends or feelings.

Usage

Used for people who sense shifts quickly.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Medical practice of taking a pulse to know a patient’s condition.

Used since the 19th century in medicine before moving into journalism.

Related Idioms

Keep your finger on the pulse

Stay in tune with developments or trends.

Finger pointing

Blaming others for problems.

A finger in every pie

Involved in many activities to exert influence.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.