- hand*/*/*/
- [hænd]
noun
I
1) [C] the part of your body at the end of each arm that you use for holding thingsMrs Bennet put her hands over her ears to shut out the noise.[/ex]The park was full of young couples holding hands (= holding each other's hands).[/ex]The two men introduced themselves and shook hands.[/ex]He was holding a mug of coffee in his left hand.[/ex]2) [singular] helpWould you like a hand with the cleaning up?[/ex]Lydia lent a hand (= helped) with the costumes.[/ex]Can you give me a hand (= help me) with these boxes?[/ex]3) [singular] informalthe advantages that you have in a situationEverything depends on how the company plays its hand (= uses its advantages).[/ex]The trick is not to show your hand too early (= let an opponent know what your advantages are).[/ex]4) [C] the hands on a clock are the long parts that move round and show the time5) [C] the cards that have been given to you in a game of cards6) [singular] if people give someone a hand, they CLAP their hands to show that they have enjoyed a performance•at hand — quite close to you and easy to reach[/ex]Help is always at hand if you need it.[/ex]I always keep my calculator close at hand.[/ex]by hand — 1) using your hands rather than a machine; 2) if a letter is delivered by hand, it is not delivered by the post service[/ex]first/second/third hand — if you experience something first hand, you experience it yourself. If you experience something second hand or third hand, someone else tells you about it.[/ex]get/lay your hands on sth — to manage to obtain something[/ex]I couldn't lay my hands on a copy of the book.[/ex]go hand in hand — to happen or exist together[/ex]hands off — spoken used for telling someone not to touch or take something[/ex]hands up — spoken 1) used for asking people to tell you if they know the answer to a question; 2) used for asking people to tell you if they want something[/ex]have a hand in sth — to help to make something happen[/ex]have your hands full — to be extremely busy[/ex]in hand — if something is in hand, you are dealing with it[/ex]in sb's hands — if something is in someone's hands, they are responsible for it[/ex]I knew that the dog was in safe hands with my parents.[/ex]keep your hands off — informal to not touch someone or something[/ex]off your hands — if something is off your hands, you are no longer responsible for it[/ex]on hand — 1) if someone is on hand, they are available to help you if you need them; 2) if something is on hand, it is available to be used[/ex]on the one hand ... on the other hand — used for giving two different opinions about something[/ex]out of hand — not well controlled[/ex]We decided to leave before things got out of hand.[/ex]out of your hands — if something is out of your hands, someone else is now responsible for it[/ex]take/get your hands off — informal to stop touching someone or something[/ex]to hand — British near where you are and therefore available to use[/ex]See:force IIIIverb [T]hand */*/[hænd]to give something to someone by holding it in your hand and offering it to themTalbot handed the paper to the man.[/ex]Sarah handed me an envelope.[/ex]•- hand sth back- hand sth down- hand sth in- hand sth out- hand sb over- hand sth over
Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.