handbreadth
/ˈhan(d)brɛdθ/ /ˈhan(d)brɛtθ/(also hand's breadth, handsbreadth)
noun
Originally: †a unit of length based on the breadth of a hand, although varying in size according to period and locality; four digits, equal to three inches (approx. 7.8 cm); also figurative; compare hand, palm; ( obsolete ). In later use: a distance or length likened to the width of the hand.
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in The New Testament. In some forms from hand + breadth.
- put one's finger in the dyke
- put one's finger on something
- put one's foot down
- put one's foot in it (or put one's foot in one's mouth)
- put one's hand in one's pocket
- put one's hands together
- put one's hands up
- put one's head in a noose
- put one's money where one's mouth is
- put one's shirt on
- put one's shoulder to the wheel
- put on flesh
- putonghua
- put on one's thinking cap
- put on (or lose) weight
- put on the dog
- put on the ritz
- put option
- put (or bring or carry) something into effect
- put (or give or set) one's mind to
- put (or have) someone's ass in a sling
- put (or have) the wind up
- put (or lay) one's cards on the table
- put (or lay) one's head (or neck) on the block
- put (or lay) on jam