List of idioms and sayings with the word hand and the meanings. Commonly used idioms related to “hand” and their meanings along with example sentences.
Idioms With Hand
- “To have a heavy hand” – This means to be excessively strict or severe. Example: “The new manager has a heavy hand, and everyone is afraid of making a mistake.”
- “To have a hand in something” – This means to be involved in or contribute to something. Example: “I had a hand in organizing the charity event and I’m proud of the outcome.”
- “To be in good hands” – This means to be in a safe or secure situation. Example: “I’m confident that my investments are in good hands with this financial advisor.”
- “To lend a hand” – This means to offer help or assistance. Example: “Can you lend me a hand and help me move these boxes?”
- “To have the upper hand” – This means to have an advantage or be in a position of power. Example: “In the negotiation, the company had the upper hand and was able to get what they wanted.”
- “To have the cards stacked against you” – This means to be at a disadvantage. Example: “With a weak team and limited resources, the odds are stacked against us and we’ll have to work hard to win.”
- “To keep a tight grip on something” – This means to maintain control or hold onto something tightly. Example: “The CEO is known for keeping a tight grip on the company and not allowing anyone else to make decisions.”
a bird in the hand
what you have or know is better than something you do not have or know
hand in glove
very close to someone.
change hands
to be sold by someone and bought by another person
hand in hand
1. holding hands.
2. together, one with the other.
Hand it over
Give it to me.
on hand
I something, such as supplies or people, are on hand, they are present or readily available.
at hand
easy to reach, nearby
at one’s fingertips
within one’s reach
bound hand and foot
to have one’s hands and feet tied up
caught with one’s hand in the cookie jar
to be caught doing something wrong or illegal, to be caught taking something (often money) that one should not take (just like a child could be caught taking cookies from a cookie jar when he or she should not)
have in the palm of hand
to have so much control over someone that they will do whatever you want them to do
sleight of hand
1. ways of deceiving people which you need skill to do
2. quick, clever movements of your hands, especially when performing magic tricks
sit on its hands
to refuse to applaud.
dirty one`s hands
to hurt one’s character or reputation, to do a bad or shameful thing
eat out of (someone’s) hand
to do what someone wants you to do
fall into the wrong hands
to discover or get something secret or dangerous that may be used in a way that harms people
a firm hand
strict control of someone or something
first hand
by direct personal experience (you can see or experience or learn about something first hand)
Hands up!
Raise your hands in the air; this is a robbery!
Hands off!
Do not touch someone or something
hands are tied
someone is not able to help or intervene.
try hand
to take a try at something.
tip hand
to reveal what one is going to do; to reveal one’s secrets. (From card playing.)
life is in hands
if your life is in someone’s hands, that person is completely responsible for what happens to you, often for whether you live or die
fold one’s hands
to bring one’s hands together so that they are palm to palm with the fingers interlocking
from hand to hand
from one person to another person
get the upper hand (on someone)
to get into a position that is superior or more advantageous than someone else
heavy hand
Dealing with or treating people with a heavy hand means acting with discipline and severity, with little or no sensitivity.
give (someone) a free hand
to allow someone to do something in the way that they choose
have clean hands
to not be responsible for a crime, to be guiltless
have (someone’s) blood on one’s hands
to be responsible for someone’s death
wring hands
to show that you are very sad or anxious about a situation but do nothing to improve it
play into someone’s hands
to assist one in one’s scheming without realizing it.
put your hand on your heart
if you can put your hand on your heart and say something, you can say it knowing that it is the truth
put your hand in your pocket
to give money to charity (= organizations that collect money to give to poor people, ill people etc.)