手てまさぐり

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

fiddling with one's fingers; toying with something

Describes idly touching or playing with an object using one's fingers, often without a clear purpose.

• 彼かれは話はなしながら、ペンを手てまさぐりしていた。

  He was fiddling with a pen while talking.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

groping with one's fingers; feeling around

Used when searching for something by touch, especially in the dark or when visibility is poor.

• 暗くら闇やみの中なかで、彼かれは手てまさぐりでスイッチを探さがした。

  In the darkness, he groped for the switch with his fingers.