five-fingers exercise

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

Early news bulletins had spoken of rioting and arrests here and there, but these were mere five-fingers exercise, for what was to come.

five-finger exercise = trifle, trifling matter

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V

[Tdol]

I'd say so.