turn one's hand to

turn (one's) hand to (something)

To undertake or apply oneself to (doing) something; to attempt or be able to do something. I'd like to turn my hand to learning the saxophone in my spare time. With Sarah's intelligence, she could probably turn her hand to anything after high school.See also: hand, turn

turn one's hand to

Also, put one's hand to. Apply oneself to, begin working at, as in Next she turned her hand to starting her dissertation, or He was so lazy he wouldn't put his hand to anything. [c. 1700] See also: hand, turn