Hand Idioms

Hand Idioms

The human hand is more than just a tool for grasping objects. It’s also a powerful tool for language! Idioms involving hands are abundant in English, adding color and imagery to our everyday speech.

List of Hand Idioms

Hand Idioms with Meaning and Examples

Give a hand

• Meaning: To applaud or show appreciation.
• Example: Let’s give a hand to Sarah for her outstanding performance in the play!

On the other hand

• Meaning: To express an alternative viewpoint or contrasting idea.
• Example: I’d love to travel more, but on the other hand, I need to save money for college.

Hand in hand

• Meaning: Referring to two things or people closely associated or working together.
• Example: Happiness and success often go hand in hand.

Have a hand in

• Meaning: To be involved or contribute to something.
• Example: I had a hand in organizing the charity event.

Hand-to-mouth

• Meaning: Living with only the basic necessities, without any surplus.
• Example: They lived hand-to-mouth, barely able to afford food and shelter.

Hand over fist

• Meaning: Making or earning money rapidly and in large amounts.
• Example: Since launching the new product, the company has been making money hand over fist.

Hand in glove

• Meaning: Referring to a close or secretive relationship, often with a negative connotation.
• Example: The corrupt politician was working hand in glove with the wealthy businessman.

Right-hand man

• Meaning: A trusted assistant or advisor who is relied upon for support and assistance.
• Example: As CEO, he relies heavily on his right-hand man to manage daily operations.

Left-handed compliment

• Meaning: A compliment that is actually insulting or condescending.
• Example: Saying ‘nice try’ to someone who failed is a left-handed compliment.

Have your hands full

• Meaning: To be very busy or overwhelmed with tasks.
• Example: With three young kids at home, she certainly has her hands full!

Heavy-handed

• Meaning: Acting with excessive force or authority.
• Example: The boss’s heavy-handed management style often demoralizes the employees.

Get your hands dirty

• Meaning: To become involved in a task or activity that requires physical effort or manual labor.
• Example: If you want to succeed in this industry, you have to be willing to get your hands dirty.

All hands on deck

• Meaning: A call for everyone to help or contribute to a particular task or situation.
• Example: We’re facing a crisis, so we need all hands on deck to resolve it.

Hand it to someone

• Meaning: To acknowledge someone’s skill or ability.
• Example: I have to hand it to John; he always knows how to make me laugh.

At your fingertips

• Meaning: Easily accessible or readily available.
• Example: With the internet, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips.

Caught red-handed

• Meaning: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
• Example: The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the store.

Hand-me-down

• Meaning: Secondhand or used items passed on from one person to another.
• Example: My younger brother wore all of my hand-me-down clothes when we were kids.

By the handful

• Meaning: In large quantities or amounts.
• Example: She picked strawberries by the handful at the farm.

Out of hand

• Meaning: Out of control or impossible to manage.
• Example: The situation got out of hand, and chaos ensued.

Keep your hands clean

• Meaning: To avoid involvement in morally or legally questionable activities.
• Example: As a politician, it’s important to keep your hands clean and avoid corruption.

Hands-off

• Meaning: Refraining from becoming involved or interfering in a situation.
• Example: The manager takes a hands-off approach and trusts employees to do their jobs.

Handshake deal

• Meaning: An agreement made verbally or informally, typically sealed with a handshake.
• Example: We didn’t sign any contracts; it was a handshake deal.

Handwriting on the wall

• Meaning: Clear signs or indications of an impending event or outcome.
• Example: The declining sales were the handwriting on the wall for the failing business.

To have a good/bad hand

• Meaning: To be in a favorable/unfavorable situation.
• Example: She was dealt a bad hand in life, but she’s still managed to succeed.

With open arms/hands

• Meaning: Warmly welcoming or accepting someone or something.
• Example: When he returned home after years abroad, his family welcomed him with open arms.

Get a handle on

• Meaning: To understand or control a situation.
• Example: After a few weeks, I finally got a handle on my new job.

Have one’s hands full

• Meaning: To be very busy.
• Example: With three young children, she always has her hands full.

Take matters into one’s own hands

• Meaning: To decide to deal with a problem yourself, rather than waiting for someone else.
• Example: Tired of waiting for a promotion, she took matters into her own hands and started applying for new jobs.

Give someone a hand

• Meaning: To help someone with a task.
• Example: Can you give me a hand with these groceries?

Lend a hand

• Meaning: Similar to “give someone a hand,” but emphasizes offering help.
• Example: Many volunteers lent a hand at the community cleanup.

Show of hands

• Meaning: A way to vote by raising hands.
• Example: The teacher asked for a show of hands to see how many students understood the concept.

Go hand in hand

• Meaning: To occur together or be inseparable.
• Example: Success often goes hand in hand with hard work.

Shake on it

• Meaning: To make a deal with a handshake.
• Example: We shook on it and became business partners.

Get the upper hand

• Meaning: To gain control of a situation.
• Example: After a slow start, the home team eventually got the upper hand.

Wash your hands of something

• Meaning: To refuse to take responsibility for something.
• Example: The manager washed his hands of the entire project.

Know something like the back of your hand

• Meaning: To be very familiar with something.
• Example: I know this city like the back of my hand.

Do you have a favorite hand idiom? Share it in the comments below!

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