get the thumb

English

Etymology

From the “point thumb over shoulder” motion prescribed in many sports as the referee signal to indicate that a player or coach has been ejected.

Verb

get the thumb (third-person singular simple present gets the thumb, present participle getting the thumb, simple past got the thumb, past participle (UK) got the thumb or (US) gotten the thumb)

1. (sports) To be ejected from a game or match.

   Rogers got the thumb for shoving the linesman after being called offside.