What does “To have a finger in the pie.” mean?
"To have a finger in the pie" means to have involvement or influence in a particular matter or situation, suggesting that one has some degree of control or authority over the outcome and may imply a level of responsibility as well.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He always wants to have a finger in the pie. He can't resist getting involved in every decision.
Example
She's always trying to have a finger in the pie. She wants to be part of every project, even if it's not her area of expertise.
Example
I don't understand why he feels the need to have a finger in the pie. It's not his responsibility and he's only causing more confusion
Is “To have a finger in the pie.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“To have a finger in the pie.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “To have a finger in the pie.” effectively in context?
You can use "To have a finger in the pie" to describe someone who wants to be involved or have influence in a particular matter or situation. It suggests that the person wants to have some degree of control or authority over the outcome, and may imply a level of responsibility as well. For instance, if a colleague always wants to be part of every decision, even if it's not their area of expertise, you might say, 'He always wants to have a finger in the pie. He can't resist getting involved in every decision.'
- 1Work
She's always trying to have a finger in the pie. She wants to be part of every project, even if it's not her area of expertise.
- 2Teamwork
He always wants to have a finger in the pie. He can't resist getting involved in every decision.
- 3Responsibility
I don't understand why he feels the need to have a finger in the pie. It's not his responsibility and he's only causing more confusion.
Similar phrases to “To have a finger in the pie.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “To have a finger in the pie.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "To have a finger in the pie" is unknown.
Is “To have a finger in the pie.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "To have a finger in the pie" is a well-known proverb and is commonly used in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe someone who wants to be involved or have influence in a particular matter or situation.
What tone does “To have a finger in the pie.” have?
"To have a finger in the pie" conveys a tone of curiosity or frustration, depending on the context. It can be used to express surprise or annoyance at someone's desire to be involved in everything.
Can “To have a finger in the pie.” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "To have a finger in the pie" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile proverb that describes a common human behavior. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She always wants to have a finger in the pie. She can't resist getting involved in every decision.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Time for him to "have a finger in the pie"!' to imply his desire to be involved in something.
