put one's finger on
to locate something precisely, to identify something as very important

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

put finger on
put (your) finger on (something)
to discover the exact reason why a situation is the way it is, especially when something is wrong.
I know there's something wrong, but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is.
(often negative)
I think you've just put your finger on the biggest problem facing the Conservative party in this election.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

put finger on something
put (your) finger on (something)
to discover the exact reason why a situation is the way it is, especially when something is wrong.
I know there's something wrong, but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is.
(often negative)
I think you've just put your finger on the biggest problem facing the Conservative party in this election.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

put one's finger on
1. to locate something precisely, to identify something as very important
I was able to put my finger on the problem and find someone to help me fix it.

2. to locate something precisely, to remember something exactly
I was unable to put my finger on the exact date of my friend's arrival.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

put one's finger on something
1. to locate something precisely, to identify something as very important
I was able to put my finger on the problem and find someone to help me fix it.

2. to locate something precisely, to remember something exactly
I was unable to put my finger on the exact date of my friend's arrival.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

put one's finger on
v. phr. To find exactly.
The engineers couldn't put their fingers on the reason for the rocket's failure to orbit.
We called in an electrician hoping he could put a finger on the cause of the short circuit.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲