An Encylopedia Britannica Company

hand

93 ENTRIES FOUND:
1 hand /ˈhænd/ noun
plural hands
1 hand
/ˈhænd/
noun
plural hands
Britannica Dictionary definition of HAND
[count]
: the body part at the end of your arm that includes your fingers and thumb
used in some phrases to refer to a person
hands [plural] : power, possession, or control
[singular] : physical help : assistance in doing something
often + with
see also helping hand
[count] : a long, thin part that points to a number on a clock or dial
[noncount] somewhat old-fashioned : a promise of marriage
[singular] : the act of hitting your hands together to show approval, appreciation, etc. : the act of applauding
[count]
: the cards that are held by a player in a card game
often used figuratively
see also overplay your hand at overplay
: a single round of play in a card game
[count]
: a hired worker
see also farmhand, old hand, stagehand
: a member of a ship's crew usually plural
[count] : someone who performs or produces something (such as a work of art) usually singular
10 
[singular] : a particular way or style of doing or handling something
see also heavy-handed
11 
[singular] old-fashioned : the way a person's writing looks : a type of handwriting
12 
[count] : a unit of measure equal to 4 inches (about 10.16 centimeters) and used especially to measure the height of horses

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

at the hand(s) of

: by or through the action of (someone or something)

be eating out of someone's hand

see eat

by hand

: from one person directly to another

by the hand

: by holding someone's hand
sometimes used figuratively

by your own hand

: by your own actions

change hands

see 1change

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)

give your right hand

see 1give

good with your hands

: skillful at things that require the use of your hands

grease the hand of

see 2grease

hand and foot

used to describe someone whose hands and feet are tied to prevent escape or movement
◊ To wait on someone hand and foot is to provide everything that someone needs or wants.

hand in glove

: very closely

hand in hand

: holding hands : grasping another person's hand
used to say that two people or things are very closely connected or related

hand over fist

informal
used to say that someone is earning or losing money very quickly or in large amounts

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.

hands off

used as a command to tell someone not to touch something

hand to mouth

: without much money : in poverty
see also hand-to-mouth

hat in hand

(US) or British cap in hand
: asking or begging for something in a respectful way

have a hand in

: to be involved in (something)

have someone in the palm of your hand

see 1palm

have your hands full

: to be very busy

heavy on your hands

see 2heavy

hold hands

or hold someone's hand
: to hold a person's hand in one of your hands for a period of time
: to guide someone through a process by carefully explaining each step

in good/safe hands

: being taken care of very well

in hand

: in your possession or control
◊ To take someone in hand is to begin to guide or direct someone who has been behaving badly.
chiefly British : available for use

join hands

see join

keep your hand in

informal
: to continue to be involved in some activity

keep/get your hands off (of)

: to not touch (something)
often used figuratively

know (something) like the back of your hand

see 1know

lay a hand on

: to touch or harm (someone)

off your hands

: no longer in your possession or no longer your responsibility

on hand

: available for use
: present and available to do something

on the one hand, on the other hand

used to introduce statements that describe two different or opposite ideas, people, etc.

on your hands

used to say that you have something or are responsible for something
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

out of hand

: very quickly without serious thought
: not controlled

out of your hands

used to say that you cannot control something

play into someone's hands

see 1play

putty in your hands

see 1putty

safe pair of hands

British
: someone who can be trusted with responsibility or a job

sit on your hands

see 1sit

take (something) into your (own) hands

: to take control of something

to hand

: available for use

try your hand

: to try to do something usually + at

turn your hand to

: to begin doing (something) usually in a skillful way : to start (a new activity, field of study, etc.)

wash your hands of

see 1wash

with your bare hands

: using only your hands and no tools or weapons
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

hand back

[phrasal verb]
hand (something) back or hand back (something)
: to return (something) by handing it to someone

hand down

[phrasal verb]
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)
chiefly US, law : to form and express (a decision or opinion) in writing

hand in

[phrasal verb]
hand (something) in or hand in (something)
: to give (something) to a person who will review or accept it

hand it to

informal
: to give credit to (someone) for doing something

hand off

[phrasal verb]
hand (something) off or hand off (something) US
: to give (something) to another person

hand on

[phrasal verb]
hand (something) on or hand on (something) formal
: to pass (something) from one person to another

hand out

[phrasal verb]
hand (something) out or hand out (something)
: to give (something) to several or many people

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)