Significado
To ignore a mistake or rule.
Contexto cultural
In Lithuania, 'žiūrėti pro pirštus' is often seen as a sign of 'žmogiškumas' (humanity). It suggests that the person in power understands that life is messy and rules aren't everything. During the Soviet era, this idiom was a survival strategy. People 'looked through their fingers' at minor illegalities to help each other survive a rigid system. In modern Lithuanian startups, the phrase is sometimes used negatively to describe a lack of 'kokybės kontrolė' (quality control). Lithuanian students often hope for a teacher who 'žiūri pro pirštus' during exams, though this is becoming rarer with stricter national standards.
Use it for mercy
If you want to sound like a kind person, use this phrase to describe how you treated someone's mistake.
Don't use for crimes
Using this for a serious crime can make you sound like you don't care about justice.
Significado
To ignore a mistake or rule.
Use it for mercy
If you want to sound like a kind person, use this phrase to describe how you treated someone's mistake.
Don't use for crimes
Using this for a serious crime can make you sound like you don't care about justice.
Grammar check
Always remember the 'į' before the object. 'Žiūrėti pro pirštus Į KĄ' (into what).
Humanity first
Lithuanians value the 'human' side of rules. This phrase is the perfect way to express that value.
Teste-se
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'žiūrėti'.
Mokytoja visada ______ pro pirštus į mano klaidas.
The subject 'Mokytoja' (Teacher) is 3rd person singular, so 'žiūri' is the correct present tense form.
Which preposition is used in this idiom?
Mes žiūrime ______ pirštus.
The idiom 'žiūrėti pro pirštus' strictly uses the preposition 'pro'.
Match the situation to the meaning of 'žiūrėti pro pirštus'.
A boss sees an employee arrive 5 minutes late but says nothing.
The boss is being lenient by ignoring a minor rule violation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ar direktorius supyko, kad vėlavai? B: Ne, jis į tai ______.
'Žiūrėjo pro pirštus' means he ignored the lateness.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Intentional vs. Accidental
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosMokytoja visada ______ pro pirštus į mano klaidas.
The subject 'Mokytoja' (Teacher) is 3rd person singular, so 'žiūri' is the correct present tense form.
Mes žiūrime ______ pirštus.
The idiom 'žiūrėti pro pirštus' strictly uses the preposition 'pro'.
A boss sees an employee arrive 5 minutes late but says nothing.
The boss is being lenient by ignoring a minor rule violation.
A: Ar direktorius supyko, kad vėlavai? B: Ne, jis į tai ______.
'Žiūrėjo pro pirštus' means he ignored the lateness.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's neutral. It can be a compliment (mercy) or a mild criticism (negligence).
Yes, if you are discussing why a certain minor issue was not addressed. 'Mes nusprendėme į tai žiūrėti pro pirštus.'
The opposite would be 'žiūrėti pro didinamąjį stiklą' (to look through a magnifying glass), meaning to be extremely strict and notice every tiny detail.
Usually, yes. A person or an institution 'looks through fingers.'
No! That would be very funny but it's not an idiom. Only hand fingers (pirštus) work.
The vocabulary is A1, but the concept is more B1. However, it's so common that even beginners should know it.
Use 'Aš žiūrėjau pro pirštus'.
Younger people might just say 'polaidžiauti' or 'ignoruoti', but the idiom is still very cool to use.
Yes, you can say 'Aš į savo klaidas žiūriu pro pirštus' (I ignore my own mistakes).
No, it means you are choosing not to act on the truth you see.
Frases relacionadas
užsimerkti prieš ką nors
synonymTo close one's eyes to something
nuolaidžiauti
similarTo be indulgent/lenient
pro akis praleisti
contrastTo let something slip past the eyes
kabinti makaronus
contrastTo hang pasta (to lie)
