What is the name of this piece of non-verbal communication in English?

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darri

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When you raise you hand up - let's say chest high - then move it down in a quick motion, fingers held together, palm facing down, indicating that you dismiss some notion or that you disbelieve in some proposal. You could say e.g. "Bah!" or "Nonsense!" or "Stop it!" while doing it.

Example:

A: Do you want me to fix the chair?
B: [gesture] Leave it, I don't care about it.

I don't think "a wave of his hand" could fit because that could be so many things.
 

jutfrank

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There's no specific word for this. You could call it a 'dismissive gesture'.
 

GoesStation

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That doesn't sound like a gesture Americans use to express that idea. You can, however, use this phrase as a culturally-neutral way to guide the reader into picturing an appropriate one: With a dismissive gesture, Barry said "Leave it, I don't care about it."
 
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