get (one's) hands on (someone)

get (one's) hands on (someone)

To touch or grasp someone, often with the threat of violence. Oh, once I get my hands on you, you'll take back what you said!See also: get, hand, on

get your hands on someone

or

lay your hands on someone

INFORMALCOMMON If you get your hands on someone who has done something wrong or lay your hands on them, you catch them and usually punish them. I'd like to get my hands on the person who did this. That's the most likely explanation, but we can't be sure until we lay our hands on the culprits.See also: get, hand, on, someone

get/lay your ˈhands on somebody

(used mostly in threats) catch somebody who has done something wrong: Just wait until I get my hands on the person who stole my bike!See also: get, hand, lay, on, somebody