1 hand
Pronounced:
/ˈhænd/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural handsMeaning:
1 [count] a : the body part at the end of your arm that includes your fingers and thumb ▪ These gloves will keep your hands warm. ▪ She put her hands over her eyes. ▪ He sat quietly with his hands folded in his lap. b —used in some phrases to refer to a person ▪ I'm afraid this job will need more than one pair of hands. [=more than one person] ▪ It's a big job, but many hands make light work. [=if many people work on it, it will be easier to do]
2 hands [plural] : power, possession, or control ▪ The maps were in the hands of the enemy. [=the enemy had the maps] ▪ The land between these mountains remains in private hands. [=is privately owned]
3 [singular] : physical help : assistance in doing something ▪ Do you need a hand? ▪ I'll be happy to lend a hand. [=help] —often + with ▪ Can you give/lend me a hand with [=help me with] this suitcase? ▪ Let me give you a hand with that. —see also helping hand
4 [count] : a long, thin part that points to a number on a clock or dial ▪ Many clocks have a second hand, a minute hand, and an hour hand.
5 [noncount] somewhat old-fashioned : a promise of marriage ▪ He asked for her hand (in marriage). [=he asked her to marry him] ▪ She offered her hand in marriage to him. [=she said that she would marry him] ▪ She gave him her hand in marriage. [=she married him]
6 [singular] : the act of hitting your hands together to show approval, appreciation, etc. : the act of applauding ▪ Let's give him a big hand! [=a big round of applause]
7 [count] a : the cards that are held by a player in a card game ▪ He studied his hand before deciding how much to bet. —often used figuratively ▪ The program is designed to help children who have been dealt a cruel hand in life. [=children who have suffered or had bad things happen to them] ▪ Even her critics say her chances of succeeding are great since she has been dealt such a strong hand. [=she is in a strong position] —see also overplay your hand at overplay b : a single round of play in a card game ▪ He lost the first hand but won the next two.
8 [count] a : a hired worker ▪ factory hands ▪ The cowboys were simply hired hands with no ownership rights. —see also farmhand, old hand, stagehand b : a member of a ship's crew —usually plural ▪ All hands on deck!
9 [count] : someone who performs or produces something (such as a work of art) —usually singular ▪ These two portraits are by the same hand. [=by the same artist]
10 [singular] : a particular way or style of doing or handling something ▪ The hand of a master is evident in these sculptures. [=these sculptures were obviously done by a very skillful artist] ▪ He runs the business with a firm hand. ▪ a cook who has a heavy hand with the salt [=who uses too much salt] —see also heavy-handed
11 [singular] old-fashioned : the way a person's writing looks : a type of handwriting ▪ a note written in an elegant hand
12 [count] : a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.16 centimeters) and used especially to measure the height of horses ▪ a horse that is 15 hands high
2 hands [plural] : power, possession, or control ▪ The maps were in the hands of the enemy. [=the enemy had the maps] ▪ The land between these mountains remains in private hands. [=is privately owned]
3 [singular] : physical help : assistance in doing something ▪ Do you need a hand? ▪ I'll be happy to lend a hand. [=help] —often + with ▪ Can you give/lend me a hand with [=help me with] this suitcase? ▪ Let me give you a hand with that. —see also helping hand
4 [count] : a long, thin part that points to a number on a clock or dial ▪ Many clocks have a second hand, a minute hand, and an hour hand.
5 [noncount] somewhat old-fashioned : a promise of marriage ▪ He asked for her hand (in marriage). [=he asked her to marry him] ▪ She offered her hand in marriage to him. [=she said that she would marry him] ▪ She gave him her hand in marriage. [=she married him]
6 [singular] : the act of hitting your hands together to show approval, appreciation, etc. : the act of applauding ▪ Let's give him a big hand! [=a big round of applause]
7 [count] a : the cards that are held by a player in a card game ▪ He studied his hand before deciding how much to bet. —often used figuratively ▪ The program is designed to help children who have been dealt a cruel hand in life. [=children who have suffered or had bad things happen to them] ▪ Even her critics say her chances of succeeding are great since she has been dealt such a strong hand. [=she is in a strong position] —see also overplay your hand at overplay b : a single round of play in a card game ▪ He lost the first hand but won the next two.
8 [count] a : a hired worker ▪ factory hands ▪ The cowboys were simply hired hands with no ownership rights. —see also farmhand, old hand, stagehand b : a member of a ship's crew —usually plural ▪ All hands on deck!
9 [count] : someone who performs or produces something (such as a work of art) —usually singular ▪ These two portraits are by the same hand. [=by the same artist]
10 [singular] : a particular way or style of doing or handling something ▪ The hand of a master is evident in these sculptures. [=these sculptures were obviously done by a very skillful artist] ▪ He runs the business with a firm hand. ▪ a cook who has a heavy hand with the salt [=who uses too much salt] —see also heavy-handed
11 [singular] old-fashioned : the way a person's writing looks : a type of handwriting ▪ a note written in an elegant hand
12 [count] : a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.16 centimeters) and used especially to measure the height of horses ▪ a horse that is 15 hands high
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush —see bird
a show of hands —see 2show
at first hand —see 1first
at hand
: close in distance or time ▪ She likes to keep the phone (close) at hand. ▪ We need to address the problem at hand [=the particular problem we are dealing with] and not argue about these other issues.
at the hand(s) of
: by or through the action of (someone or something) ▪ They were treated badly at the hands of the prison guards. ▪ The people had suffered at the hands of a cruel dictator.
by hand
1 : with the hands ▪ The stone was carved by hand.
2 : from one person directly to another ▪ I delivered the document to his office by hand.
2 : from one person directly to another ▪ I delivered the document to his office by hand.
by the hand
: by holding someone's hand ▪ I took him by the hand and led him through the crowd. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ You can't expect me to lead you by the hand through every difficult situation.
by your own hand
: by your own actions ▪ She died by her own hand. [=she killed herself; she committed suicide]
change hands —see 1change
eat out of someone's hand —see eat
fall into the hands of —see 1fall
fall into the wrong hands —see 1fall
force someone's hand —see 2force
get your hands dirty —see 1dirty
get/lay your hands on
: to find, get, or control (someone or something) ▪ I'm still trying to lay my hands on my car keys. ▪ He couldn't wait to get his hands on her money. ▪ Wait until I get my hands on you. [=you will be in trouble when I catch you]
give your right hand —see 1give
good with your hands
: skillful at things that require the use of your hands ▪ He's always been good with his hands.
grease the hand of —see 2grease
hand and foot
1 —used to describe someone whose hands and feet are tied to prevent escape or movement ▪ The prisoner was bound/tied hand and foot.
2 ◊To wait on someone hand and foot is to provide everything that someone needs or wants. ▪ I can't stand the way they wait on her hand and foot!
2 ◊To wait on someone hand and foot is to provide everything that someone needs or wants. ▪ I can't stand the way they wait on her hand and foot!
hand in glove
: very closely ▪ We are working hand in glove with the police to recover the stolen property.
hand in hand
1 : holding hands : grasping another person's hand ▪ They walked on the beach hand in hand.
2 —used to say that two people or things are very closely connected or related ▪ In a film, the images and sounds go hand in hand. ▪ The chef works hand in hand [=very closely] with a nutritionist.
2 —used to say that two people or things are very closely connected or related ▪ In a film, the images and sounds go hand in hand. ▪ The chef works hand in hand [=very closely] with a nutritionist.
hand over fist
informal —used to say that someone is earning or losing money very quickly or in large amounts ▪ They were making/earning money hand over fist.
hands are tied
◊If your hands are tied you cannot do anything about a situation because you do not have the power to act freely. ▪ I'd like to help you, but my hands are tied. ▪ The judge says her hands are tied because the law requires a harsh sentence in such cases.
hands off
—used as a command to tell someone not to touch something ▪ Hands off my property! ▪ “Those cookies look delicious.” “Hands off! We're saving them for later.”
hand to mouth
: without much money : in poverty ▪ They have been living hand to mouth since he lost his job. = It's been hand to mouth since he lost his job. —see also hand-to-mouth
hat in hand (US) or Brit cap in hand
: asking or begging for something in a respectful way ▪ He came to me, hat in hand, asking if I could get him a job at the company.
have a hand in
: to be involved in (something) ▪ She had a hand in designing the new highway. ▪ Did he have a hand in this decision?
have someone in the palm of your hand —see 1palm
have your hands full
: to be very busy ▪ She'll have her hands full with the new baby.
heavy on your hands —see 2heavy
hold hands or hold someone's hand
1 : to hold a person's hand in one of your hands for a period of time ▪ two people holding hands ▪ He held hands with his daughter. ▪ He held her hand as they walked.
2 : to guide someone through a process by carefully explaining each step ▪ I don't need you to hold my hand.
2 : to guide someone through a process by carefully explaining each step ▪ I don't need you to hold my hand.
in good/safe hands
: being taken care of very well ▪ With her in charge, the office is in good hands. [=she will do the job well] ▪ You're in safe hands with us. [=you will be safe with us]
in hand
1 : in your possession or control ▪ We started our hike with compass and map in hand. ▪ He has the situation well in hand. [=he is in control of the situation] ◊To take someone in hand is to begin to guide or direct someone who has been behaving badly. ▪ You need someone to take you in hand, young lady, and show you how to behave!
2 chiefly Brit : available for use ▪ If we work at this rate we'll have a month in hand before our deadline is up!
2 chiefly Brit : available for use ▪ If we work at this rate we'll have a month in hand before our deadline is up!
join hands —see join
keep your hand in
informal : to continue to be involved in some activity ▪ He retired several years ago, but he still comes by the office occasionally because he likes to keep his hand in (the business).
keep/get your hands off (of)
: to not touch (something) ▪ Keep your hands off the cookies! We're saving them for later. —often used figuratively ▪ The military is asking lawmakers to keep their hands off [=not change] the defense budget.
know (something) like the back of your hand —see 1know
lay a hand on
: to touch or harm (someone) ▪ He claims that he never laid a hand on her.
off your hands
: no longer in your possession or no longer your responsibility ▪ If you don't want those golf clubs anymore, I'll be glad to take them off your hands. [=I'll be glad to take them] ▪ She's trying to find a way to get some of that extra work off her hands.
on hand
1 : available for use ▪ We have plenty of water on hand.
2 : present and available to do something ▪ Five musicians were on hand to accompany her. ▪ A priest was on hand to console them.
2 : present and available to do something ▪ Five musicians were on hand to accompany her. ▪ A priest was on hand to console them.
on the one hand, on the other hand
—used to introduce statements that describe two different or opposite ideas, people, etc. ▪ On the one hand, I think the price is fair, but on the other (hand), I really can't afford to spend that much money. ▪ He's a good guy. His brother, on the other hand, is a very selfish man.
on your hands
—used to say that you have something or are responsible for something ▪ With all that extra work on her hands she'll need all the help she can get. ▪ Once this project is over she should have some time on her hands. [=free time] —see also blood on your hands at blood
on your hands and knees
: with your hands and knees on the ground : in a crawling position ▪ She went down on her hands and knees.
out of hand
1 : very quickly without serious thought ▪ He rejected the plan out of hand. ▪ Suggestions that the hearing should be delayed were dismissed out of hand.
2 : not controlled ▪ The kids were (getting) out of hand. [=were behaving in a wild and uncontrolled way] ▪ He warns that technology is getting out of hand.
2 : not controlled ▪ The kids were (getting) out of hand. [=were behaving in a wild and uncontrolled way] ▪ He warns that technology is getting out of hand.
out of your hands
—used to say that you cannot control something ▪ The decision is out of my hands.
play into someone's hands —see 1play
putty in your hands —see 1putty
safe pair of hands
Brit : someone who can be trusted with responsibility or a job ▪ The next leader of the party should be a safe pair of hands.
sit on your hands —see 1sit
take (something) into your (own) hands
: to take control of something ▪ The judge had no sympathy for people who insisted on taking the law into their own hands. [=trying to punish criminals themselves instead of allowing the legal system to do it] ▪ After months of waiting for something to happen, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
to hand
: available for use ▪ I don't have all the latest data (immediately) to hand.
try your hand
: to try to do something —usually + at ▪ She wanted to try her hand at photography.
turn your hand to
: to begin doing (something) usually in a skillful way : to start (a new activity, field of study, etc.) ▪ an actress who has turned her hand to directing ▪ After he left publishing, he turned his hand to law.
wash your hands of —see 1wash
with your bare hands
: using only your hands and no tools or weapons ▪ He tried to kill me with his bare hands.
