noun | verb
handhand1 /hænd/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1
BODY PART [countable] the part at the end of a person’s arm, including the fingers and thumb, used to pick up or hold things: Go wash your hands.in your hand What’s that in your hand?by the hand The old lady led me by the hand to the kitchen. The couple were walking through the park holding hands. “Hello,” she said, shaking my hand. I was on my hands and knees looking for my ring (=kneeling with your hands on the floor).with your hand (=without using a tool or machine) He was eating with his hands. With his bare hands he forced the doors apart (=without using a tool or machine). The phone fit into the palm of his hand (=the inside surface of his hand).2HELP a hand help with something you are doing, especially something that involves physical work: give/lend somebody a hand Can you give your brother a hand up in the attic? She’s always the first to volunteer to help when I need a hand. I’m always happy to lend a hand with the yard work (=help).3(on the one hand...) on the other hand used when comparing two different or opposite facts or ideas: Gary, on the other hand, used to be very thin. On the one hand, they work slowly, but on the other hand they do a great job.4on hand informal close by and ready when needed: There is always a nurse on hand in case of any injuries.5get out of hand to become impossible to control: Pull or spray garden weeds before they get out of hand. It was a practical joke that got a little out of hand.6in the hands of somebody (also in somebody’s hands) being dealt with or controlled by someone: The decision is in your hands. The area is already in the hands of the rebels.7be good with your hands skillful at making things8hand in hand holding each other’s hand, especially to show love: They strolled hand in hand through the flower garden.9have a hand in something to influence or be involved in something: Thorpe has had a hand in restoring the 21 houses.10in hand being dealt with and controlled: Officer Rogers says he has the situation in hand.11in good/safe/capable etc. hands being dealt with or taken care of by someone who can be trusted: Every parent wants to make sure they’re leaving their child in safe hands.12by hand a)done or made by a person, not a machine: The rug was made by hand. b)delivered from one person to another, not sent through the mail: They delivered their wedding invitations by hand.13off your hands not your responsibility anymore so that you feel happier: By the time we’re 50, the kids will be off our hands.14out of your hands if something is out of your hands you are not in charge of it anymore, or do not deal with it anymore: I’m sorry. The decision is out of my hands now.15have somebody/something on your hands to have a difficult job, problem, or responsibility that you must deal with: I think you have enough trouble on your hands already.16at hand formal a)happening soon: Graduation day is close at hand. b)close by and ready when needed: Make sure you have your notes at hand. c)needing to be dealt with now: Let’s focus on the task at hand.17hands down easily: Harry would have won hands down, if he hadn’t hurt his ankle.18can/could do something with one hand (tied) behind your back spoken used to say that you can do something easily and well: I could beat them with one hand tied behind my back.19get/lay your hands on something to find or obtain something: It’s $150 for the best seats, if you can get your hands on a ticket.20get your hands on somebody to catch someone you are angry with in order to punish him or her: I’d love to get my hands on the guy who slashed my tires.21have your hands full to be very busy or too busy: Diane has her hands full with a new baby.22have something on your hands if you have something on your hands, you have to deal with it: We have a big problem on our hands.23somebody’s hands are tied if someone’s hands are tied, he or she cannot do something because a rule, law, or situation prevents it: We’d really like to help you, but our hands are tied.24go hand in hand to be closely related, or happen together: Diet and exercise should go hand in hand.25make/spend/lose money hand over fist informal to gain, spend, or lose money very quickly and in large amounts: For years they were making money hand over fist.26give somebody a (big) hand to clap loudly in order to show your approval of a performer or speaker: Let’s give the musicians a big hand!27WORKER [countable] someone who does physical work on a farm, in a factory, etc.: The farmer needed a hired hand during harvest time.28CARD GAME [countable] a)a set of playing cards held by one person in a game: John had the winning hand. b)a game of cards: We played a couple of hands of poker.29ON A CLOCK [countable] one of the long thin parts of a clock that point to the numbers: The hour hand was bent.30WRITING [singular] the way you write SYN handwriting: The letter was written in a neat hand.31at the hands of somebody if you suffer at the hands of someone, he or she treats you badly: He told of the abuse he had suffered at the hands of prison guards.32refuse/reject/dismiss etc. something out of hand if you refuse, reject, etc. something out of hand, you refuse, reject, etc. it immediately and completely: My request for more vacation time was rejected out of hand.33a firm hand strict control of someone: Active kids need a firm hand.34somebody’s hand (in marriage) old-fashioned permission or agreement for a man to marry a particular woman: He finally asked for her hand in marriage.35turn your hand to something to start doing something new or practicing a new skill: After 25 years in broadcasting, she decided to turn her hand to writing.36tie/bind somebody hand and foot a)to tie someone’s hands and feet b)to severely restrict someone’s freedom to make decisions: We’re bound hand and foot by all these safety regulations.37hand in glove literary if someone fits or works hand in glove with someone else, the two are very close and work together well: The two men fit hand in glove and have a very successful partnership.38keep your hand in (something) to keep doing something so you do not lose your skill: I’d like to keep my hand in as a coach on a professional team.39HORSE [countable] a unit for measuring the height of a horse, equal to four inches → see also bite the hand that feeds you at bite1 (6), (at) first hand at first1 (11), force somebody’s hand at force2 (3), freehand, hands-on, hands up, left-hand, left-handed, left-hander, have time on your hands at time1 (17), be an old hand (at something) at old (15), overplay your hand at overplay (3), right-hand, right-handed, right-hander, shake hands (with somebody) at shake1 (4), wash your hands of something at wash1 (5), win hands down at win1 (1)COLLOCATIONSadjectivessomebody’s right/left hand She held the book in her right hand.small/big hands He was a tall man, with big hands.a gloved hand (=wearing gloves) The doctor examined him with gloved hands.verbswash your hands Go wash your hands before dinner.wave your hand Marta waved a hand to attract his attention.clap your hands They were singing and clapping their hands.hold hands (with somebody) (=used when two people each hold one of the other person's hands) Joanne and Kevin held hands on the sofa.shake somebody’s hand (also shake hands with somebody) (=hold and move someone’s hand up and down as a greeting or goodbye) “Nice to meet you,” he said, as they shook hands.take somebody’s hand (=begin holding someone’s hand) He reached across the table and took her hand in his.take somebody by the hand (=hold someone’s hand in order to take them somewhere) She took the boy by the hand and led him across the street.join hands (=take hold of the hands of people on either side of you) They stood in a circle and joined hands.clasp your hands (=hold them together tightly) Emily clasped her hands together and stood there nervously.fold your hands (=put your hands together and rest them on something) Lily folded both hands on her stomach.raise your hand (also put your hand up) (=lift your hand, especially when you want to ask or answer a question) If you know the answer, raise your hand. noun | verb
handhand2 ●●○ W3 verb [transitive] 1to pass something to someone else SYN give: hand somebody something Hand me the newspaper, will you?hand something to somebody I handed the package to the security guard.► see thesaurus at give12you have to hand it to somebody spoken used to say that you admire someone: You have to hand it to her. She’s really made a success of that company.hand something ↔ back phrasal verb1to pass something back to someone: hand something back to somebody The guard looked at my papers and handed them back to me.2to give something back to someone it used to belong to: hand something back to somebody Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.hand something ↔ down phrasal verb1hand down a decision/ruling/sentence etc. to officially announce a decision, a punishment, etc.: The sentence was handed down on Monday.2to give or leave something to people who are younger than you or live after you: hand something down to somebody The recipe was handed down to me by my grandmother. → see also hand-me-down3to pass something to someone who is below you: Can you hand that box down to me?hand something ↔ in phrasal verb to give something to a person in authority: He handed in his essay three days late. I handed in my resignation (=told my employer I was going to leave my job) yesterday.► see thesaurus at give1hand something ↔ out phrasal verb to give something to each member of a group of people SYN pass out, give out, distribute: A guy in a Santa Claus suit was handing out candy. → see also handouthand over phrasal verb1hand somebody/something ↔ over to give someone or something to someone else to take care of or to control: hand something over to somebody I reluctantly handed the $25 over to my brother.2hand something ↔ over to give power or responsibility to someone else: The captain was unwilling to hand over the command of his ship.3hand over to somebody to let another person speak in a discussion, report, etc. after you have finished talking: Now I’m going to hand over to our chairman, Mary Pressley.