We do not have a gentle prod to the conscience here, but a burning probe, which apparently felt like a "blunt instrument" to Mr. Logan.

But the jazz festival may not need such a total shakeup - just a gentle prod here and there.

When Kin stopped there was a gentle prod of a sword in her back.

He spoke to the elderly man then and gave Hannah a gentle prod.

She gave Ginger a gentle prod.

He offered a gentle prod to the president, whose ruling party has smothered opposition parties and who won 99.4 percent of the vote that re-elected him in 1999.

Almost before he could think, he felt the gentle prod of the rider, heard the call "Hie!"

She gave him a gentle prod with her toe.

Just kinda give him a gentle prod, y'see.

A gentle prod to consider a career switch if you find yourself breaking the law - and getting caught - often.