hand
93 ENTRIES FOUND:
- hand (noun)
- hand (verb)
- hand–eye coordination (noun)
- hand–holding (noun)
- hand–me–down (adjective)
- hands down (adverb)
- hands–free (adjective)
- hands–off (adjective)
- hands–on (adjective)
- hand–to–hand (adjective)
- hand–to–mouth (adjective)
- hand–wringing (noun)
- hand baggage (noun)
- hand brake (noun)
- hand luggage (noun)
- hand puppet (noun)
- hand tool (noun)
- hand towel (noun)
- bare–handed (adverb)
- cack–handed (adjective)
- dab hand (noun)
- dishpan hands (noun)
- empty–handed (adjective)
- field hand (noun)
- free hand (noun)
- glad–hand (verb)
- ham–handed (adjective)
- heavy–handed (adjective)
- helping hand (noun)
- high–handed (adjective)
- hour hand (noun)
- left–hand (adjective)
- left–handed (adjective)
- minute hand (noun)
- old hand (noun)
- one–handed (adjective)
- red–handed (adverb)
- right–hand (adjective)
- right–handed (adjective)
- right–hand man (noun)
- second hand (noun)
- single–handed (adjective)
- sleight of hand (noun)
- sure–handed (adjective)
- two–handed (adjective)
- upper hand (noun)
- whip hand (noun)
- bird (noun)
- bite (verb)
- blood (noun)
- bush (noun)
- cap (noun)
- change (verb)
- close (adverb)
- cup (noun)
- eat (verb)
- fall (verb)
- feed (verb)
- first (adjective)
- fist (noun)
- foot (noun)
- force (verb)
- full (adjective)
- glove (noun)
- grease (verb)
- hat (noun)
- heavy (adverb)
- hold (verb)
- hollow (noun)
- iron (adjective)
- join (verb)
- know (verb)
- law (noun)
- lay (verb)
- mouth (noun)
- other (adjective)
- overplay (verb)
- palm (noun)
- play (verb)
- putty (noun)
- rule (verb)
- safe (adjective)
- show (verb)
- show (noun)
- sit (verb)
- stand (verb)
- tip (verb)
- try (verb)
- two (noun)
- wash (verb)
- worth (preposition)
- wring (verb)
- wrong (adjective)
plural
hands
plural
hands
Britannica Dictionary definition of HAND
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
— often + with
—
see also helping hand
-
Do you need a hand?
-
I'll be happy to lend a hand. [=help]
-
Can you give/lend me a hand with [=help me with] this suitcase?
-
Let me give you a hand with that.
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
— often used figuratively
—
see also overplay your hand at overplay
-
He studied his hand before deciding how much to bet.
-
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]
b
:
a single round of play in a card game
-
He lost the first hand but won the next two.
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
—
see also heavy-handed
-
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]
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
a show of hands
at first hand
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.
be eating out of someone's hand
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.
by the hand
:
by holding someone's hand
— sometimes used figuratively
-
I took him by the hand and led him through the crowd.
-
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
fall into the hands of
fall into the wrong hands
force someone's hand
get your hands dirty
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
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
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!
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.
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
—
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.
hat in hand
(US) or British 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
have your hands full
:
to be very busy
-
She'll have her hands full with the new baby.
heavy on your hands
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.
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 British
:
available for use
-
If we work at this rate, we'll have a month in hand before our deadline is up!
join hands
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)
— often used figuratively
-
Keep your hands off the cookies! We're saving them for later.
-
The military is asking lawmakers to keep their hands off [=not change] the defense budget.
know (something) like the back of your hand
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.
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
—
see also blood on your hands at blood
-
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]
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.
out of your hands
— used to say that you cannot control something
-
The decision is out of my hands.
play into someone's hands
putty in your hands
safe pair of hands
British
:
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
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
with your bare hands
:
using only your hands and no tools or weapons
-
He tried to kill me with his bare hands.
—
see also firsthand, hands down, secondhand, sleight of hand, upper hand
2
hand
/ˈhænd/
verb
hands;
handed;
handing
2
hand
/ˈhænd/
verb
hands;
handed;
handing
Britannica Dictionary definition of HAND
[+ object]
:
to give (something) to someone using your hands
-
He handed her a letter. = He handed a letter to her.
-
Hand me that picture.
hand back
[phrasal verb]
hand (something) back
or
hand back (something)
:
to return (something) by handing it to someone
-
He handed the letter back (to her) without reading it.
-
The clerk handed back my credit card.
hand down
[phrasal verb]
1
hand (something) down
or
hand down (something)
:
to pass (something) from a person who is older (such as a parent) to a person who is younger (such as a child)
-
She will hand the diamond ring down to her niece.
-
The farm was handed down from generation to generation.
2
chiefly US, law
:
to form and express (a decision or opinion) in writing
-
The Supreme Court has handed down its decision.
hand in
[phrasal verb]
hand (something) in
or
hand in (something)
:
to give (something) to a person who will review or accept it
-
Students should hand their papers in on Thursday.
-
He handed in his resignation.
hand it to
informal
:
to give credit to (someone) for doing something
-
I've got to hand it to you. You did a great job planning the party.
hand off
[phrasal verb]
hand (something) off
or
hand off (something)
US
:
to give (something) to another person
-
(American football) The quarterback handed off the ball to the halfback.
-
She handed the job off to her assistant.
hand on
[phrasal verb]
hand (something) on
or
hand on (something)
formal
:
to pass (something) from one person to another
-
These stories have been handed on from generation to generation.
hand out
[phrasal verb]
hand (something) out
or
hand out (something)
:
to give (something) to several or many people
-
They will hand out [=distribute] copies of the newsletter today.
-
He's always handing out advice to the people he works with.
-
She handed flyers out at the grocery store.
hand over
[phrasal verb]
hand (someone or something) over
or
hand over (someone or something)
:
to give up control or possession of (something or someone)
-
They demanded that he hand the documents over to them.
-
They agreed to hand over their hostages.
