figurative. That does not or cannot do anything (well) with the hands; ineffective, incapable; incompetent, clumsy. Scottish and Irish English in…

figurative and in extended use. Awkward; clumsy, inept. Obsolete.

Having a tendency to let things fall or slip from one's hands; characterized by such clumsiness. Also figurative: clumsy, bumbling. Cf. butterfingers…

(a) Having the hands heavy from physical incapacity or weariness. (b) ‘Clumsy; not active or dextrous’ (Webster 1828).

figurative. Clumsy; incompetent; cf. handless, adj. 2.

Not skilful in using the hands; lacking in dexterity.

Clumsy, heavy-handed; ham-fisted. Also figurative.

(a) (dialect or colloquial), awkward with the hands, clumsy; (b) U.S. colloquial, tough, aggressive; vigorous; (c) Tennis of a backhand stroke…

General attributive (frequently in singular form), with the sense ‘characterized by clumsiness in catching or handling; butterfingered’.

having a tendency to let things fall or slip from one's hands; = butterfingered, adj. 1.

Left-handed; ham-handed, clumsy, awkward.

English regional (southern). Marlborough-handed adj. clumsy, awkward with one's hands; (also) left-handed. rare.

clumsy, not dexterous (cf. 5c).

Clumsy, ‘all thumbs’. Cf. thumb, n. 5c.

= ham-fisted adj.

having large or clumsy hands, heavy-handed, awkward; bungling.