30 Idioms about Hands

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a safe pair of hands – a capable, responsible, and reliable person
all hands to the pump/all hands on deck – all members of a group or team must be involved
at hand – close by, accessible
at/by the hands of – done or caused by
cap/hat in hand – humbly (used to describe someone who is asking for a favour)
first-hand – from an original source
hand in glove with – closely associated with, in collusion with
hand over fist – very quickly
hand-me-down – a piece of clothing or other item which has been passed from one person to another
hands down – clearly, decisively
hands-off – without direct involvement
on the one hand/on the other hand – from one point of view/from the other point of view
out of hand – out of control
the right hand doesn't know what the left hand's doing – one member of a group or organisation doesn’t know what another member is doing, used to describe a state of disorder or confusion
to change hands – to be passed on to a different owner
to get your hands on – to acquire something
to give someone a hand/lend a hand – to help someone
to hand down – to pass something to a successor
to hand someone something on a plate – to make something very easy for another person to achieve or obtain
to have something in hand – to have something under control
to have your hands full – to have as much work as you can manage
to have your hands tied – to be unable to intervene despite wanting to
to keep your hand in – to maintain a skill in a particular field by practising or using it
to know like the back of your hand – to know extremely well
to stay someone’s hand – to stop someone from doing something
to take matters into your own hands – to take control of a situation instead of waiting for someone else to act
to tip your hand – to accidentally reveal your intentions
to wait on hand and foot – to attend to someone’s every need
to wash your hands of – to end your responsibility towards
with one hand behind your back – restricted, limited

15 Oct 2020
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30 Idioms about Hands

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