twiddling thumbs
idiom

- to do nothing for a period of time, usually while you are waiting for something to happen

The Cambridge Dictionary

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ORIGIN

The figurative sense of "twiddling thumbs" was first recorded in 1846. "Twirling thumbs" was used in the same sense as early as 1816. The phrase simply means a situation when there is nothing to do, so the only alternative is to sit and “twiddle one’s thumbs”.

The origin of the word “twiddle” is unknown, but is thought to combine “twist” or “twirl” with the word “fiddle”, which in its verb-form means to move one’s fingers or hands in a nervous fashion, or to occupy oneself without any specific goal.

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THE BENEFITS OF BOREDOM

Research by Dr. John Eastwood at York University suggests an evolutionary basis to boredom, encouraging humans to seek out new challenges. A low-stimulus environment may lead to increased creativity and set the stage for a “eureka moment”.

Looking for a good idea? Try twiddling your thumbs.

Adapted from: CBC News - “It’s like a little trigger: The surprising benefits of boredom”

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THUMBS IN ENGLISH
The word thumb gets a lot of use in colloquial English:

- to be all fingers and thumbs = to be clumsy with your hands

- to be under someone’s thumb = to be under someone else’s control

- thumbs down = a show of disapproval

- thumbs up = a show of approval

- a rule of thumb = a principle that has wide application but is not necessarily accurate or reliable in every situation

- stick out like a sore thumb = something or someone that is easily noticed

- to thumb your nose at someone or something = to show disrespect or disregard for rules, laws or authority

- thumb a ride = to hitch-hike

- thumb through something = to look through a book, a publication, a report, etc. without reading it carefully

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PRACTICE OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“We were TWIDDLING OUR THUMBS until Jim finally arrived for the meeting.”

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Paul Smith