To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge verb
to show that you are grateful to people who are clapping or cheering for you by waving your hand, nodding your head etc
beckon verb
to signal to someone to come towards you
dig noun
a quick push with your elbow or finger that is intended to get someone's attention
facepalm noun (verb)
the action of covering your face with your hand to show that you are embarrassed, annoyed, or shocked about something
flag down phrase
to wave at the driver of a car so that they stop
hand-wringing noun
a way of expressing that you are very worried or nervous
high five noun
the action of holding your hand up and hitting your palm flat against that of another person, when you meet them or as a way of congratulating them
indicate verb
to direct someone's attention towards a particular person, place, or thing, for example with your hand or head
moon verb
to show your naked bottom to someone as an insult or a joke
motion verb
to move your hand or head in a particular direction, for example to point somewhere or to get someone's attention
nod verb
to move your head first downwards and then upwards, to answer 'Yes' to a question or to show that you agree, approve, or understand
nod verb
to move your head once in a particular direction, for example to make someone look at something or to give someone a signal to do something
nod verb
to move your head downwards and upwards as a way of saying hello, goodbye, thank you etc
nod noun
the movement that you make when you nod your head
point verb
to show something by holding out your finger or a long thin object
point verb
to show a particular direction or place, usually using a sign or symbol
point verb
to show someone the direction in which they should go
point out phrase
to show someone who a person is or where something is
put your hand up/put up your hand phrase
to raise your arm to show that you want to ask or answer a question, or so that someone can count you
shrug verb
to move your shoulders up and let them drop to show that you do not know something or do not care
shrug noun
the action of moving your shoulders up and then dropping them
spit at phrase
to force saliva out of your mouth in the direction of someone else as an insult
stab verb
to make a movement with your finger or a pointed object as if you are stabbing something, usually to emphasize something that you are saying
stamp noun
an act of putting your foot down hard and noisily on something
V sign noun
a sign meaning victory or peace, made by raising your first finger and middle finger in the shape of a 'V' with the back of your hand turned towards you
V sign noun
a rude sign made by raising your first finger and middle finger in the shape of a 'V' with the back of your hand turned away from you
wag verb
if a person wags a finger or wags their head, they shake it several times, usually to show that they are angry
wag noun
a movement of your head or finger from side to side, usually to show that you are angry
wave noun
the action of moving an object in the air, especially in order to give a signal
wave noun
a mexican wave
wave down phrase
to make a vehicle stop by waving your arm or hand at the driver
wave through phrase
to make a signal with your hand that shows you are allowing a person or vehicle to go through a gate or other entrance
bat your eyes/eyelashes phrase
to open and close your eyes very quickly several times, intending to be attractive to someone
dig someone in the ribs phrase
to push someone with your elbow because you want to get their attention
give me five phrase
used for asking someone to hit their open hand against yours, usually as a way of celebrating
give someone the bird phrase
to hold up your middle finger as a very rude sign
give someone the finger phrase
to express anger at someone in a very rude way by holding up your longest finger towards them with your palm facing you
in acknowledgment phrase
if you move your hand or head in acknowledgment of someone, you do it in order to show that you have seen them, or have paid attention to what they are saying
punch the air phrase
to show that you are very pleased by punching the air with your fist (=closed hand)
raise your thumb phrase
to point your thumb upwards in order to show that you approve of something or that there are no problems
shake your finger (at someone) phrase
to point your finger at someone and move it up and down quickly as a way of showing that you do not approve of what they are doing
shake your fist (at someone) phrase
to shake your closed hand in the direction of another person as a way of showing that you are angry at them
shake your head phrase
to show you do not understand something by turning your head from side to side
shake your head phrase
to say no by turning your head from side to side
jerk/jab/cock your thumb phrase
to point your thumb at someone or something in order to show that you are talking about them
put/stick two fingers up at someone phrase
to express anger at someone in a very rude way by holding up your first two fingers in the shape of a 'V' with your palm facing you
stick your tongue out (at someone) phrase
to move your tongue quickly out of your mouth as an insult
take a bow phrase
to give a bow at the end of a performance, to thank the audience