1hand 
/ˈhænd/ noun
plural hands /ˈhænd/ noun 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
▪ 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]
▪ 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]
▪ 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
▪ Many clocks have a second hand, a minute hand, and an hour hand.
▪ 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]
▪ Let's give him a big hand! [=a big round of applause]
▪ 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.
▪ 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!
▪ 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
▪ a note written in an elegant hand
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ The stone was carved by hand.
▪ 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.
▪ 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]
▪ 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]
▪ 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.
▪ 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!
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ They walked on the beach hand in hand.
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.
▪ 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
▪ 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.
▪ 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?
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ two people holding hands ▪ He held hands with his daughter. ▪ He held her hand as they walked.
▪ 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]
▪ 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!
▪ 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!
▪ 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).
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ We have plenty of water on hand.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ He rejected the plan out of hand. ▪ Suggestions that the hearing should be delayed were dismissed out of hand.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ He tried to kill me with his bare hands.
