Oxford Essential Dictionary
noun
1 (plural hands)
the part at the end of your arm that has four fingers and a thumb:
She held the letter in her hand.
2 a hand (no plural) (informal) some help:
Could you give me a hand with my homework?
Do you need a hand?
3 (plural hands) one of the parts of a clock or watch that move to show the time
by hand without using a machine:
The curtains were made by hand.
get out of hand to become difficult to control:
The party got out of hand.
hand in hand with your hand in another person's hand:
They were walking hand in hand.
hands up
1 put one hand in the air if you can answer the question
2 put your hands in the air because somebody has a gun
hold hands to have another person's hand in your hand
in good hands well looked after:
Don't worry – your son is in good hands.
on hand near and ready to help:
There is a doctor on hand 24 hours a day.
on the one hand … on the other hand words that show the good and bad things about something:
On the one hand cars are very useful; on the other hand they cause an awful lot of pollution.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
hand
I. hand1 S1 W1 /hænd/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑hand, ↑handful; adjective: ↑underhand, ↑handy; verb: ↑hand; adverb: ↑handily]
[Language: Old English]
1. PART OF BODY [countable] the part of your body at the end of your arm, including your fingers and thumb, that you use to hold things:
Steve gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands.
In her hand was a tattered old photograph.
2. HELP a hand help with something – used in the following phrases
need/want a hand
Do you need a hand packing?
give/lend (somebody) a hand
Can you give me a hand to lift this?
If you get stuck, Denise is always willing to lend a hand.
I could do with a hand/use a hand (=it would be useful to have some help)
We could certainly do with a hand. ⇨ a helping hand at ↑help1(9)
3. CONTROL [singular, uncountable] control, power, or influence that someone has:
The President has strengthened the hand of the gun lobby.
This matter is too important to be left in the hands of (=in the control of) an inexperienced lawyer.
a manager with a firm hand (=who controls things strictly)
4. get out of hand if a situation or person gets out of hand, they become impossible to control any longer:
The demonstration was getting out of hand.
5. on the other hand (also on the one hand ... on the other hand) used to give another opinion or fact that should be considered as well as the one you have just given:
I’d like to eat out, but on the other hand I should be trying to save money.
► Do not say ‘on one hand’. Say on the one hand.
6. hands off spoken used to say that someone cannot have, take, or touch something:
Hey! Hands off that CD! It’s mine!
Tell your little brother to keep his hands off my car. ⇨ ↑hands-off
7. in hand
a) if something is in hand, it is being done or dealt with:
Plans are in hand to perform ‘Oz’ next semester.
Lisa seemed to have things in hand by the time he returned.
job/task/matter etc in hand
Our officers have to concentrate 100 per cent on the task in hand.
take somebody in hand (=begin to deal with someone’s problems etc)
b) British English if you work a week, a month etc in hand, you do not get paid until after you have worked two weeks, two months etc
c) British English if you have time, money etc in hand, you have it available:
I usually have a few days’ leave in hand at the end of the year.
d) British English if a team or player has a game in hand in a competition, they still have another game to play in which they could gain more points
8. in the hands of somebody/in sb’s hands being dealt with or cared for by someone:
The matter is in the hands of the police.
in good/safe/capable etc hands
You can be sure your children are in good hands.
The fear is that nuclear secrets could fall into the wrong hands.
► Do not say ‘in the hand of someone’. Say in the hands of someone. ⇨ a safe pair of hands at ↑safe1(11)
9. hands up
a) with your arms straight up in the air – used especially to tell someone to do this as a sign that they will not attack you:
Hands up! You’re under arrest!
The men emerged from the building with their hands up.
b) used to tell people to put their arm straight up in the air if they know the answer to a question or want to say something:
Hands up if you agree with what Eric was saying.
10. at hand formal
a) likely to happen soon:
Recent economic performance suggests that a major crisis is at hand.
b) close to you and available to be used:
Don’t worry, help is at hand!
c) needing to be dealt with now:
Peter turned his attention to the task at hand.
11. to hand British English something that is to hand is close to you, so that you can reach it easily
12. on hand close by and ready when needed:
Our staff are always on hand to help.
13. by hand
a) done or made by a person rather than a machine:
We had to wash our clothes by hand.
b) delivered by someone personally, rather than being sent through the post, emailed etc
14. (at) first hand if you know or experience something first hand, you have personal experience of it:
a chance to view at first hand the workings of the court
15. (at) second/third/fourth hand if you know something second, third etc hand, someone tells you about it, but you have no personal experience of it:
Until now, information has been second or third hand, but this news comes from someone who was there.
16. at the hands of somebody caused or done by a particular person – used about something bad or unpleasant that someone does:
Anyone who suffered at the hands of care workers will be entitled to compensation.
This is their third defeat at the hands of the world champions.
17. get your hands on something informal to succeed in getting something:
She’s only marrying him to get her hands on his money.
18. lay your hands on something to find or get something:
I would read any book I could lay my hands on.
19. come to hand if something comes to hand, it is there for you to use – used especially about something that is there by chance:
They ran, picking up whatever weapons came to hand.
20. get your hands on somebody spoken to catch someone you are angry with:
Just wait till I get my hands on you!
21. have a hand in something to influence or be involved in something:
He had a hand in both goals.
22. hand in hand
a) (go) hand in hand if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected:
Wealth and power go hand in hand in most societies.
(go) hand in hand with
They say that genius often goes hand in hand with madness.
b) if two people walk, stand etc hand in hand, they walk, stand etc while they are holding each other’s hand:
They walked hand in hand in silence up the path.
23. have something/somebody on your hands to have a difficult job, problem, situation etc to deal with:
I’m afraid we have a murder on our hands, Inspector.
24. be off your hands if something or someone is off your hands, you are not responsible for them any more:
Once this problem is off our hands we can relax for a while.
take somebody/something off sb’s hands
She wants someone to take the kids off her hands occasionally.
25. try your hand at (doing) something to try to do something you have not tried before:
John dreamed of being a writer and had tried his hand at poetry.
26. turn your hand to (doing) something to do something well, even if it is the first time you have tried:
Larry’s one of those men who can turn their hand to anything.
27. out of hand without even stopping to consider what someone has suggested, asked for etc
reject/dismiss/refuse etc something out of hand
Aromatherapy was dismissed out of hand by traditional doctors.
28. hands down easily
win (something)/beat somebody hands down
Nigel always won hands down in any argument.
29. have your hands full to be very busy or too busy:
Can’t it wait? I already have my hands full.
30. good with your hands skilful at making things
31. on either/every hand written on both sides or in every direction:
Thick forest stood on either hand.
32. get your hands dirty
a) informal to do hard or dirty physical work – usually used in questions or negative statements:
It’s not that the jobs aren’t there, it’s just that she doesn’t want to get her hands dirty.
b) to get involved in the difficult, dishonest, or unpleasant side of something:
He never talked to the media or got his hands dirty in any way.
33. keep your hand in to do something that you used to do a lot, so you do not forget how to do it:
You should at least work part-time, just to keep your hand in.
34. hand in glove closely connected with someone, especially in an illegal activity:
Far from being independent, the government and media work hand in glove.
35. hand over fist informal if you gain or lose something hand over fist, you gain or lose it very quickly:
Five years ago, the company was losing money hand over fist.
36. a big hand spoken used to tell the people who are watching a performance to ↑clap or ↑cheer loudly:
Let’s all give the girls a big hand.
37. all hands on deck (also all hands to the pumps British English) informal used to say that everyone is needed to help in a particular situation:
With only half an hour to get everything ready, it was all hands on deck.
38. the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing used to say that two parts of an organization that should be doing the same thing are each doing different things without the other knowing
39. WORKER [countable] someone who does physical work on a farm, factory, ship etc:
farm hands
40. CARDS [countable]
a) the playing cards given to one person in a game:
a winning hand
b) a single game of cards
41. 
CLOCK [countable] a long thin piece of metal that points at the numbers on a clock
hour/minute/second hand
42. WRITING [singular] old-fashioned someone’s ↑handwriting
43. sb’s hands are tied if someone’s hands are tied, they cannot help in a particular situation because of rules, laws etc:
The bank claims its hands are tied by federal regulators.
44. tie/bind somebody hand and foot
a) to tie up someone’s hands and feet
b) to make it very difficult or impossible for someone to do what they think is best
45. can do something with one hand (tied) behind your back spoken used to say that you can do something very easily
46. not do a hand’s turn British English old-fashioned informal to do no work at all
47. sb’s hand (in marriage) old-fashioned permission for a man to marry a particular woman:
He asked for her hand in marriage.
48. HORSE [countable] a unit for measuring the height of a horse, equal to about ten centimetres
⇨ ↑cash-in-hand, ↑freehand, ↑hands-on, ↑left-hand, ↑right-hand, ⇨ be an old hand (at something) at ↑old(17), ⇨ bite the hand that feeds you at ↑bite1(15), ⇨ have blood on your hands at ↑blood1(2), ⇨ have your hands/fingers in the till at ↑till2(3), ⇨ force sb’s hand at ↑force2(7), ⇨ overplay your hand at ↑overplay(2), ⇨ shake sb’s hand/shake hands with somebody at ↑shake1(4), ⇨ wash your hands of something at ↑wash1(5)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ sb’s right/left hand She held the book in her right hand.
▪ somebody's free hand (=the hand someone is not already using) Amy was stroking the dog with her free hand.
▪ a gloved hand (=covered with a glove) He stretched out a gloved hand.
▪ an outstretched hand (=stretched out towards someone or something) She took her father's outstretched hand and began to walk from the room.
▪ somebody's cupped hand (=in the shape of a cup) Hamil shook the dice in his cupped hand.
■ verbs
▪ wave your hand Marta waved a hand to attract his attention.
▪ clap your hands They were singing and clapping their hands.
▪ wash your hands Go wash your hands before dinner.
▪ hold hands (with somebody) Joanne and Kevin held hands on the sofa.
▪ shake sb’s hand (also shake hands with somebody) ‘Nice to meet you,’ he said, as they shook hands.
▪ take sb’s hand (=hold someone’s hand) He reached across the table and took her hand in his.
▪ take somebody by the hand (=hold someone’s hand in order to take them somewhere) She took the boy by the hand and led him across the street.
▪ join hands (=take hold of the hands of people on either side of you) They stood in a circle and joined hands.
▪ clasp your hands (=hold them together tightly) Emily clasped her hands together and stood there nervously.
▪ fold your hands (=put your hands together and rest them on something) Lily folded both hands on her stomach.
▪ raise your hand (also put your hand up) (=lift your hand, especially when you want to ask or answer a question) If you know the answer, raise your hand.
▪ somebody's hands shake/tremble His hands trembled as he lifted the cup.
▪ somebody's hand holds something His other hand was holding his mobile phone.
▪ somebody's hand touches something Daniel's hand touched mine.
▪ somebody's hand grips something (=hold something firmly) Her hands gripped the steering wheel very tightly.
▪ somebody's hand grabs/grasps something (=take and hold something firmly) He felt Connor's hand grasp his shoulder.
▪ somebody's hand tightens Her hand tightened on the knife handle.
■ nouns
▪ a hand movement The disease means she has trouble controlling her hand movements.
▪ a hand gesture/signal (=a movement of your hand to show what you mean) He made a rude hand gesture at the other driver.
■ phrases
▪ in sb’s hand He had a suitcase in his hand.
▪ on your hands and knees (=in a crawling position) They got down on their hands and knees to search.
▪ the palm of your hand (=the inside surface of your hand) The phone could fit into the palm of his hand.
▪ the back of your hand (=the outside surface of your hand) Let a dog sniff the back of your hand, rather than your fingers.
▪ with your bare hands (=without using a tool, weapon, machine etc) With his bare hands he forced the doors apart.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
hand
▪ I. hand [hand hands handed handing] noun, verb [hænd] [hænd]
noun
PART OF BODY
1. countable the part of the body at the end of the arm, including the fingers and thumb
• Ian placed a hand on her shoulder.
• Put your hand up if you know the answer.
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
• She was on (her) hands and knees (= crawling on the floor) looking for an earring.
• Couples strolled past holding hands.
• Give me your hand (= hold my hand) while we cross the road.
• The crowd threw up their hands (= lifted them into the air) in dismay.
• He killed the snake with his bare hands (= using only his hands).
• a hand towel (= a small towel for drying your hands on)
• a hand drill (= one that is used by turning a handle rather than powered by electricity)
see also left-hand, right-hand
-HANDED
2. (in adjectives) using the hand or number of hands mentioned
• a one-handed catch
• left-handed scissors (= intended to be held in your left hand)
HELP
3. a hand singular (informal) help in doing sth
• Let me give you a hand with those bags (= help you to carry them).
• Do you need a hand with those invoices?
• The neighbours are always willing to lend a hand.
ROLE IN SITUATION
4. singular ~ in sth the part or role that sb/sth plays in a particular situation; sb's influence in a situation
• Early reports suggest the hand of rebel forces in the bombings.
• Several of his colleagues had a hand in his downfall.
• This appointment was an attempt to strengthen her hand in policy discussions.
ON CLOCK/WATCH
5. countable (usually in compounds) a part of a clock or watch that points to the numbers
see also hour hand, minute hand, second hand
WORKER
6. countable a person who does physical work on a farm or in a factory
see also chargehand, farmhand, hired hand, stagehand
SAILOR
7. countable a sailor on a ship
• All hands on deck!
see also deckhand
HAND-
8. (in compounds) by a person rather than a machine
• hand-painted pottery
• hand-knitted
• This item should be hand washed.
see also handmade
IN CARD GAMES
9. countable a set of playing cards given to one player in a game
• to be dealt a good/bad hand
10. countable one stage of a game of cards
• I'll have to leave after this hand.
WRITING
11. singular (old use) a particular style of writing
see also freehand
MEASUREMENT FOR HORSE
12. countable a unit for measuring the height of a horse, equal to 4 inches or 10.16 centimetres
see also dab hand, old hand, second-hand, underhand
more at give sb/get a big hand at big adj., a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush at bird, bite the hand that feeds you at bite v., have sb's blood on your hands at blood n., cap in hand at cap n., cash in hand at cash n., change hands at change v., close at hand at close2 adv., take your courage in both hands at courage, the dead hand of sth at dead adj., the devil makes work for idle hands at devil, eat out of your/sb's hand at eat, a firm hand at firm adj., fold your hands at fold v., force sb's hand at force v., get, have, etc. a free hand at free adj., go hat in hand (to sb) at hat, heavy hand at heavy, give/lend a helping hand at help v., an iron fist/hand (in a velvet glove) at iron adj., join hands at join v., know sb/sth like the back of your hand at know v., take the law into your own hands at law, take your life in your hands at life, not lift/raise a finger/hand (to do sth) at lift v., live from hand to mouth at live1, make/lose money hand over fist at money, offer your hand at offer v., overplay your hand at overplay, a pair of handsI've only got one pair of hands. at pair n., have sb in the palm of your hand at palm n., putty in sb's hands at putty, raise a/your hand against/to sb at raise v., in safe handsin the safe hands of sba safe pair of hands at safe adj., a show of hands at show n., show your hand/cards at show v., sleight of hand at sleight, stay your hand at stay v., have time on your hands at time n., try your hand at try v., gain, get, have, etc. the upper hand at upper adj., wait on sb hand and foot at wait v., wash your hands of sb/sth at wash v., have/hold, etc. the whip hand at whip n., win (sth) hands down at win v., wring sb's handwring your hands at wring
Word Origin:
Old English hand, hond, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hand and German Hand.
Collocations:
Physical appearance
A person may be described as having:
Eyes
(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
Face
a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache
Hair and skin
pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part
Body
a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
Language Bank:
contrast
Highlighting differences
▪ This survey highlights a number of differences in ▪ the way that teenage boys and girls in the UK spend their free time.
One of the main differences between ▪ the girls and ▪ the boys who took part in the research was the way in which they use the Internet.
Unlike ▪ the girls, who use the Internet mainly to keep in touch with friends, the boys questioned in this survey tend to use the Internet for playing computer games.
▪ The girls differ from ▪ the boys in that ▪ they tend to spend more time keeping in touch with friends on the telephone or on social networking websites.
Compared to ▪ the boys, the girls spend much more time chatting to friends on the telephone.
▪ On average the girls spend four hours a week chatting to friends on the phone. In contrast ▪, very few of the boys spend more than five minutes a day talking to their friends in this way.
▪ The boys prefer competitive sports and computer games, whereas ▪ / while ▪ the girls seem to enjoy more cooperative activities, such as shopping with friends.
▪ When the girls go shopping, they mainly buy clothes and cosmetics. The boys, on the other hand ▪, tend to purchase computer games or gadgets.
Language Banks at generally, illustrate, proportion, similarly, surprising
Vocabulary Building:
Using your hands
Touch
Example Bank:
• A heavy hand clamped over her mouth.
• A large hand descended on his shoulder.
• A strong hand reached out and caught hold of her arm.
• A surgeon needs a good eye and a steady hand.
• At harvest time all the locals lend a hand.
• Beth grasped the rope with both hands.
• Can you give me a hand with loading the van?
• Clive ran a hand through his hair.
• Delicate clothes should be washed by hand.
• Eager hands reached out to help him.
• Guards made sure that the food supplies didn't fall into the wrong hands.
• Hannah grasped her hand.
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.
• He clutched the cane in his clammy hand.
• He grabbed my hand and motioned for me to follow him.
• He had his hands clasped behind his head.
• He holds out a bony hand for her to shake.
• He killed the lion with his bare hands.
• He laid a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder.
• He laid a hand on her arm.
• He lifted his hand to her face.
• He offered a limp hand to shake.
• He put a friendly hand on his friend's knee.
• He put out a hand as if to touch her.
• He reached for her hand and held it tightly.
• He retired feeling confident that his company was in safe hands.
• He rubbed his hands together in satisfaction.
• He sat with his head in his hands.
• He shook Blake's hand as if they were long lost friends.
• He shook hands with all of us before leaving.
• He slid his hands into his pockets.
• He threw up his hands in despair when he saw the damage.
• He was on his hands and knees, looking for a contact lens.
• He was sobbing and wringing his hands by the grave.
• He wiped his greasy hands on the front of his overalls.
• Her busy hands had transformed the tiny room into a work of art.
• Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh no!’
• Her hand lifted to place a cigarette in her mouth.
• Her hand moved to cover his.
• Her hand ran over the surface, feeling the different textures.
• Her hand shook as she lifted the glass to her lips.
• His hand brushed against hers.
• His hand eventually found the light switch.
• His hand froze in mid-gesture.
• His hand rested on her shoulder.
• His hand, when she shook it, was cool and firm.
• His hands clawed at the muddy earth.
• His hands cupped her face.
• His hands dropped to his sides and he fell to the floor.
• His hands roamed over her shoulders.
• I cupped my hand over the mouthpiece of the phone so they couldn't hear me.
• I desperately need to lay my hands on some money by Monday.
• I don't work in that department any more, so the problem is out of my hands.
• I felt a hand on my shoulder.
• Jimmy slapped his hand over his mouth.
• Mail for hand delivery is put in a separate tray.
• Muriel's hand crept to her neck to hold her pearls.
• My hand groped for the door handle.
• My hand hovered over the switch for a moment.
• My hands clenched together tightly.
• My hands fumbled with the key.
• Now the EU has revealed its hand.
• Operate the gears with your left hand.
• Purée with a hand blender or food processor.
• Several students put up their hands to answer the question.
• She asked for a show of hands.
• She clenched her hands in her lap to hide their trembling.
• She felt that life had dealt her a bad hand.
• She filled our glasses with a generous hand.
• She folds her hands in prayer.
• She gained a reputation as a safe pair of hands.
• She gestured to the window with an open hand.
• She had a piece of paper in her hand.
• She had large rings on both hands.
• She held on to my hand as I tried to leave.
• She held up her hand in farewell.
• She pressed his hand. ‘I know,’ she said softly.
• She put her hands to her cheeks in embarrassment.
• She rested her chin in her cupped hand.
• She shivered, rubbing her hands together fiercely.
• She shrugged and spread her hands. ‘That's all I can tell you.’
• She smiled and extended a hand in welcome.
• She stood in the doorway, hands on hips.
• She stood up and went over to him, her hands outstretched.
• She studied the object in the palm of her hand.
• She took the child's hand and helped him climb the steps.
• She walked towards him with her hand outstretched to take his.
• She warned her brother to keep his hands off her bag.
• Slowly Ruth withdrew her hand from his.
• The farmer would bring in hired hands to help him harvest the crop.
• The party leadership overplayed its hand.
• The policeman kept a firm hand clamped on his shoulder.
• The rocks looked like they had been shaped by human hands.
• The strategic alliance served to strengthen the country's hand in the region.
• There's plenty of work for willing hands
• They walked along, holding hands.
• They walked hand in hand along the path.
• We were all clapping our hands in time to the music.
• Who dealt the last hand?
• With a practised hand he motioned a waiter to bring a fresh pot of coffee.
• With his free hand he took hold of the knife.
• You can take your laptop on the plane as hand luggage.
• a hand recount of the vote for governor
• the invisible hand of the market
• Early reports suggest the hand of rebel forces in the bombings.
• He knew that he would never be anything more than a hired hand.
• This appointment was an attempt to strengthen her hand in policy discussions.
Idioms: all hands on deck ▪ at hand ▪ at somebody's hands ▪ at the hands of somebody ▪ by hand ▪ fall into somebody's the hands of somebody ▪ first hand ▪ get your hands dirty ▪ good with your hands ▪ hand in glove ▪ hand in hand ▪ hand something to somebody on a plate ▪ hands down ▪ hands off ▪ hands up! ▪ have to hand it to somebody ▪ have your hands full ▪ have your hands tied ▪ hold somebody's hand ▪ in hand ▪ in somebody's capable/safe hands ▪ in somebody's hands ▪ in the hands of somebody ▪ keep your hand in ▪ lay your hands on somebody ▪ lay your hands on something ▪ many hands make light work ▪ not do a hand's turn ▪ off your hands ▪ on every hand ▪ on hand ▪ on the other … ▪ on your hands ▪ out of hand ▪ out of your hands ▪ play into somebody's hands ▪ put your hand in your pocket ▪ second/third hand ▪ somebody's hand ▪ take somebody in hand ▪ take something into your own hands ▪ throw your hand in ▪ tie somebody hand and foot ▪ turn your hand to something
Derived: hand over ▪ hand somebody off ▪ hand somebody over ▪ hand somebody over to somebody ▪ hand something back ▪ hand something down ▪ hand something in ▪ hand something on ▪ hand something out ▪ hand something over ▪ hand something round
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
hand / hænd / noun (BODY PART)
A1 [ C ] the part of the body at the end of the arm that is used for holding, moving, touching, and feeling things:
All their toys are made by hand.
I delivered her invitation by hand (= not using the postal service) .
informal Get your hands off (= stop touching) my bike!
He can mend anything - he's so good with his hands.
You have to hold my hand when we cross the road.
They walked by, holding hands.
Hold your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right hand.
She sat, pen in hand (= with a pen in her hand) , searching for the right words.
They can't keep their hands off each other - they never stop kissing and cuddling.
"Congratulations!" she said and shook me by the hand/ shook my hand/ shook hands with me.
She took me by the hand and led me into the cave.
a hand towel
See picture hand 1
See picture hand 2
hand / hænd / noun [ C ] (CLOCK/WATCH)
one of the long, thin pieces that point to the numbers on a clock or watch:
Does anyone have a watch with a second hand?
See picture hand 2
hand / hænd / noun [ C ] (CARDS)
a (single part of a) game of cards, or the set of cards that a player has in a game:
Who's for a hand of poker?
You dealt me an appalling hand in that game.
See picture hand 2
hand / hænd / noun [ S ] (HELP)
B1 help with doing something that needs a lot of effort:
[ + -ing verb ] Would you like a hand carry ing those bags?
Could you give/lend me a hand with (= help me to move) the table, please?
I think Matthew might need a hand with his maths homework.
I could really use a hand with these accounts if you could spare a moment.
hand / hænd / noun (PERSON)
[ C ] a person who does physical work or is skilled or experienced in something:
How many extra hands will we need to help with the harvest?
I joined the firm as a factory hand and gradually worked my way up to the top.
→ See also farmhand
[ C ] a sailor:
All hands on deck!
hand / hænd / noun (CONTROL)
C2 [ U ] control or responsibility:
Things got a little out of hand (= the situation stopped being controlled) at the party and three windows were broken.
In my first year at college my drinking got completely out of hand.
The police have the situation in hand (= under control) .
How come there's a problem? I thought you had everything in hand (= arranged and organized) .
Their youngest child needs taking in hand (= they should start to control her) if you ask me.
hands C2 [ plural ] control or responsibility:
I'm worried about confidential information falling into the wrong hands (= being received by people who could use it against us) .
Are you sure your money's in safe hands?
You're in excellent hands with her - she's a very good doctor.
Unless I receive a satisfactory response from you within a month I shall put this matter in(to) the hands of (= make it the responsibility of) my solicitor.
They're trying to get old stock off their hands by cutting prices.
We get Daryl off our hands one evening a week when my mother looks after him.
The court will decide how much money you get - the decision is out of our hands (= is not our responsibility) .
He's got a real problem on his hands (= he has something difficult to deal with) .
I don't have enough time on my hands (= I do not have enough time) to work and look after the children.
hand / hænd / noun [ S ] (INVOLVEMENT)
involvement in or influence over an event:
It is not thought that terrorists had a hand in the explosion.
hand / hænd / noun [ S ] (CLAP)
clapping for a performer:
So please give a big hand to (= welcome with clapping) your host for the evening, Bill Cronshaw!
hand / hænd / noun [ S ] old use (WRITING)
a person's writing:
an untidy hand
hand / hænd / noun [ C ] (MEASUREMENT)
a unit for measuring the height of a horse up to its shoulder:
One hand equals four inches (= 10.16 centimetres) .
See picture hand 2
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
hand
I. NOUN USES AND PHRASES
/hænd/
(hands)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Please look at category 49 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1.
Your hands are the parts of your body at the end of your arms. Each hand has four fingers and a thumb.
I put my hand into my pocket and pulled out the letter...
Sylvia, camera in hand, asked, ‘Where do we go first?’
N-COUNT
2.
The hand of someone or something is their influence in an event or situation.
The hand of the military authorities can be seen in the entire electoral process...
N-SING: with poss
3.
If you say that something is in a particular person’s hands, you mean that they are looking after it, own it, or are responsible for it.
He is leaving his north London business in the hands of a colleague...
We’re in safe hands...
N-PLURAL: usu in/into N
4.
If you ask someone for a hand with something, you are asking them to help you in what you are doing.
Come and give me a hand in the garden...
N-SING: a N, oft N with n
5.
A hand is someone, usually a man, who does hard physical work, for example in a factory or on a farm, as part of a group of people who all do similar work.
He now works as a farm hand...
N-COUNT: usu with supp
6.
If someone asks an audience to give someone a hand, they are asking the audience to clap loudly, usually before or after that person performs.
Let’s give ’em a big hand.
N-SING: a N
7.
If a man asks for a woman’s hand in marriage, he asks her or her parents for permission to marry her. (OLD-FASHIONED)
He came to ask Usha’s father for her hand in marriage.
N-COUNT: usu sing, poss N, oft N in n
8.
In a game of cards, your hand is the set of cards that you are holding in your hand at a particular time or the cards that are dealt to you at the beginning of the game.
He carefully inspected his hand.
N-COUNT
9.
A hand is a measurement of four inches, which is used for measuring the height of a horse from its front feet to its shoulders.
I had a very good 14.2 hands pony, called Brandy.
N-COUNT: usu num N
10.
The hands of a clock or watch are the thin pieces of metal or plastic that indicate what time it is.
N-COUNT
11.
If something is at hand, near at hand, or close at hand, it is very near in place or time.
Having the right equipment at hand will be enormously helpful...
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
12.
If someone experiences a particular kind of treatment, especially unpleasant treatment, at the hands of a person or organization, they receive it from them.
The civilian population were suffering greatly at the hands of the security forces.
PREP-PHRASE: PREP n
13.
If you do something by hand, you do it using your hands rather than a machine.
Each pleat was stitched in place by hand.
= manually
PHRASE: PHR after v
14.
When something changes hands, its ownership changes, usually because it is sold to someone else.
The firm has changed hands many times over the years.
PHRASE: V inflects
15.
If you have someone eating out of your hand, they are completely under your control.
Parker could have customers eating out of his hand.
PHRASE: V and N inflect
16.
If you force someone’s hand, you force them to act sooner than they want to, or to act in public when they would prefer to keep their actions secret.
He blamed the press for forcing his hand.
PHRASE: V and N inflect
17.
If you have your hands full with something, you are very busy because of it.
She had her hands full with new arrivals.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR with n
18.
If someone gives you a free hand, they give you the freedom to use your own judgment and to do exactly as you wish.
He gave Stephanie a free hand in the decoration.
PHRASE: PHR after v
19.
If you get your hands on something or lay your hands on something, you manage to find it or obtain it, usually after some difficulty. (INFORMAL)
Patty began reading everything she could get her hands on.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
20.
If you work hand in glove with someone, you work very closely with them.
The UN inspectors work hand in glove with the Western intelligence agencies.
PHRASE: usu PHR with n
21.
If two people are hand in hand, they are holding each other’s nearest hand, usually while they are walking or sitting together. People often do this to show their affection for each other.
I saw them making their way, hand in hand, down the path.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, PHR with cl
22.
If two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected and cannot be considered separately from each other.
For us, research and teaching go hand in hand...
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR with n
23.
If you have a hand in something such as an event or activity, you are involved in it.
He thanked all who had a hand in his release.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
24.
If you say that someone such as the ruler of a country treats people with a heavy hand, you are criticizing them because they are very strict and severe with them.
Henry and Richard both ruled with a heavy hand.
PHRASE: usu with PHR [disapproval]
25.
If two people are holding hands, they are holding each other’s nearest hand, usually while they are walking or sitting together. People often do this to show their affection for each other.
She approached a young couple holding hands on a bench.
PHRASE: V inflects, pl-n PHR, PHR with n
26.
If you ask someone to hold your hand at an event that you are worried about, you ask them to support you by being there with you. (INFORMAL)
I don’t need anyone to hold my hand.
PHRASE: V and N inflect
27.
In a competition, if someone has games or matches in hand, they have more games or matches left to play than their opponent and therefore have the possibility of scoring more points. (BRIT)
Wales are three points behind Romania in the group but have a game in hand.
PHRASE: n PHR
28.
If you have time or money in hand, you have more time or money than you need. (BRIT)
Hughes finished with 15 seconds in hand.
PHRASE: usu with amount PHR
29.
The job or problem in hand is the job or problem that you are dealing with at the moment.
The business in hand was approaching some kind of climax.
PHRASE: n PHR, v-link PHR
30.
If a situation is in hand, it is under control.
The Olympic organisers say that matters are well in hand.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v
31.
If you lend someone a hand, you help them.
I’d be glad to lend a hand.
PHRASE: V inflects
32.
If you tell someone to keep their hands off something or to take their hands off it, you are telling them in a rather aggressive way not to touch it or interfere with it.
Keep your hands off my milk.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
33.
If you do not know something off hand, you do not know it without having to ask someone else or look it up in a book. (SPOKEN)
I can’t think of any off hand.
PHRASE: usu with brd-neg, PHR after v
34.
If you have a problem or responsibility on your hands, you have to deal with it. If it is off your hands, you no longer have to deal with it.
They now have yet another drug problem on their hands...
She would like the worry of dealing with her affairs taken off her hands.
PHRASE: PHR after v
35.
If someone or something is on hand, they are near and able to be used if they are needed.
The Bridal Department will have experts on hand to give you all the help and advice you need...
= available
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
36.
You use on the one hand to introduce the first of two contrasting points, facts, or ways of looking at something. It is always followed later by on the other hand or ‘on the other’.
On the one hand, if the body doesn’t have enough cholesterol, we would not be able to survive. On the other hand, if the body has too much cholesterol, the excess begins to line the arteries.
PHRASE: PHR with cl
37.
You use on the other hand to introduce the second of two contrasting points, facts, or ways of looking at something.
Well, all right, hospitals lose money. But, on the other hand, if people are healthy, don’t think of it as losing money; think of it as saving lives.
PHRASE
38.
If a person or a situation gets out of hand, you are no longer able to control them.
His drinking had got out of hand.
PHRASE: v-link PHR
39.
If you dismiss or reject something out of hand, you do so immediately and do not consider believing or accepting it.
I initially dismissed the idea out of hand.
PHRASE: PHR after v
40.
If you play into someone’s hands, you do something which they want you to do and which places you in their power. (JOURNALISM)
He is playing into the hands of racists.
PHRASE: V inflects
41.
If you show your hand, you show how much power you have and the way you intend to act.
He has grown more serious about running for president, although he refuses to show his hand.
PHRASE: V and N inflect
42.
If you take something or someone in hand, you take control or responsibility over them, especially in order to improve them.
I hope that Parliament will soon take the NHS in hand...
PHRASE: V inflects
43.
If you say that your hands are tied, you mean that something is preventing you from acting in the way that you want to.
Politicians are always saying that they want to help us but their hands are tied...
PHRASE: V inflects
44.
If you have something to hand or near to hand, you have it with you or near you, ready to use when needed.
You may want to keep this brochure safe, so you have it to hand whenever you may need it.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
45.
If you try your hand at an activity, you attempt to do it, usually for the first time.
After he left school, he tried his hand at a variety of jobs–bricklayer, cinema usher, coal man.
PHRASE: V and N inflect, usu PHR at n/-ing
46.
If you turn your hand to something such as a practical activity, you learn about it and do it for the first time.
...a person who can turn his hand to anything.
PHRASE: V and N inflect, PHR n
47.
If you wash your hands of someone or something, you refuse to be involved with them any more or to take responsibility for them.
He seems to have washed his hands of the job.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
48.
If you win hands down, you win very easily.
PHRASE: V inflects
49.
with one’s bare hands: see bare
to overplay one’s hand: see overplay
to shake someone’s hand: see shake
to shake hands: see shake
see also hand-to-mouth
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1hand /ˈhænd/ noun, pl hands
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
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.
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.
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
• 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]
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]
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.
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!
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
• 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.
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
- see 1palm
have your hands full : to be very busy
• 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.
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 Brit : available for use
• 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).
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.
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.
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
• 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.
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
- 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.
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.
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
- see 1wash
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