thumbs down
Unicode: 1F44E
Description
A hand making a thumbs down gesture, indicating disapproval, rejection, or failure.
Group:
People & Body > hand-fingers-closed
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Represents disagreement, disapproval, negativity, failure, disappointment, or a strong dislike.
Backstory
The thumbs down gesture has ancient origins, famously associated with Roman gladiatorial games where it supposedly signaled condemnation or death for a defeated gladiator, though historical interpretations of its exact meaning vary. In modern times, it has become a universal symbol of negativity. This emoji was introduced as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010.
Usage Examples
- Expressing disapproval: 'I really didn't like that movie. 👎'
- Indicating failure: 'The plan failed. 👎'
- Rejecting an idea: 'That's a terrible idea. 👎'
- Showing dislike: 'I give that restaurant a big thumbs down. 👎'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Widely understood as a sign of negativity, rejection, or 'no'.
East Asian culture:
Generally understood as negative, though less frequently used than in Western contexts compared to specific culture-based negative gestures. Can sometimes be interpreted as an insult in some regions.
Middle East and parts of Africa:
Can be considered offensive or an insult in some cultures, similar to giving someone 'the finger' in Western cultures.