lift a finger

mover un dedo, hacer un esfuerzo

Hacer el menor esfuerzo para ayudar o hacer algo; suele usarse en frases negativas.

En inglés sencillo: To make even a small effort to help or do something, usually used with a negative.

• He never lifts a finger to help.
• I did all the cooking, and nobody lifted a finger.
• You expect the house cleaned without lifting a finger yourself?

Cómo se usa: not lift a finger to do something (He did not lift a finger to help us.); without lifting a finger (She got everything done without lifting a finger.)

Sinónimos: make an effort, help

Expresiones frecuentes: lift a finger, never lift a finger

levantar un dedo

Mover un dedo hacia arriba.

En inglés sencillo: To move one finger upward.

• Lift a finger if you can hear me.
• She lifted a finger to point at the mark.
• Can you lift a finger without moving your hand?

Sinónimos: raise a finger

Expresiones frecuentes: lift a finger, lift a finger slowly

tomar medidas contra, actuar contra

Tomar medidas para castigar a alguien o responder a un ataque, en vez de limitarse a protestar.

En inglés sencillo: To take action to punish someone or fight back, rather than only complain.

• They complained but never lifted a finger against him.
• The authorities would not lift a finger to punish the attackers.
• Will voters lift a finger against such unfair treatment?

Cómo se usa: lift a finger against someone/something (Nobody dared lift a finger against the cruel ruler.)

Sinónimos: take action, retaliate

Expresiones frecuentes: lift a finger, lift a finger against