Idioms and expressions make language more interesting and vibrant. They are a very important part of speech and native speakers use them frequently. So in order to improve your English and have fluent conversations, it’s essencial to continue studying vocabulary and expressions.
Today we will look at common expressions using the word “hand”. They are used a lot in the English language, it will help you converse and understand native English dialogue.
Read the definitions of the expressions and then do the exercises at the end to put these expressions into practice.
– On hand – available for use.
Example: “My mum always has lots of food on hand”
– In hand – in your possession or control.
Example: “He has the situation well in hand”
– Out of hand – very quickly without serious thought.
Example: “He decided to go to Italy out of hand”
– Out of hand (2) – not controlled.
Example: “Her children were tired and quickly got out of hand, running everywhere”
– At hand – close in distance or time.
Example: “She always keeps her phone close at hand”
– At first hand – in a direct way
Example: “I was able to verify his statement at first hand”
– Eat out of someone’s hand – to be completely controlled by someone.
Example: “Her boyfriend has her eating out of his hand”
– Offhand – without premeditation or preparation.
Example: “I can’t give you my telephone number offhand, I’ve forgotten it”
– By hand – with the hands.
Example: “Jane makes earrings by hand”
– Second hand – having had a previous owner.
Example: “I love my handbag, even though it’s second hand”
– Get/Lay your hands on – to find, get, or control (someone or something).
Example: “I finally managed to lay my hands on some of that chocolate cake”
– Hand in glove – very closely.
Example: “James and Sue are working hand in glove to make the project work”
– On the one hand, on the other hand – used to introduce statements that describe two different or opposite ideas, people, etc.
Example: “On the one hand, it’s really cheap, but on the other I can’t afford it”
Exercises
2. She couldn’t wait to __________ the money.
a. at first hand
b. offhand
c. get her hands on
3. All my friends were _______ to help me.
a. by hand
b. on hand
c. in hand
4. The kids got quite ________ during their trip to the museum.
a. out of hand
b. on hand
d. offhand
5. “Is that jumper new?” “No, it’s _________.”
a. first hand
b. second hand
c. by hand
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handsome (adjective) – having a pleasing and usually impressive or dignified appearance
Definition – Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Значение прилагательного handsome
Прилагательное handsome употребляется в значении «привлекательный», «хорошо сложенный и хорошо выглядящий», и, как правило, намекает на уравновешенность, достоинство и силу.
Сегодня handsome чаще используется по отношению к мужчинам, (иногда и к предметам), чем к женщинам, хотя так было не всегда. В 19 и начале 20 века handsome применялось почти в равной степени к обоим полам. Handsome предполагает приятный внешний вид, правильные пропорции, достоинство и вкус.
Вот пример из романа английской писательницы викторианской эпохи Элизабет Гаскелл.
And there was Bessy Witter as would ha’ given her eyes for him; she as is Mrs Carson now, for she were a handsome lass, although I never could see her beauty then; and Carson warn’t so much above her, as they’re both above us all now.
Elizabeth Gaskell, Mary Barton, 1848
Мы так привыкли к современному значению слова handsome, что редко задумываемся о значении, с которым это слово пришло в английский язык.
Появившееся в начале 15 века прилагательное handsome образовано от существительного hand и суффикса -some. Первое значение слова – easy to handle, ready at hand, «легкий в обращении; находящийся под рукой».
К середине 16 века значение слова расширилось до «подходящий по размеру, форме и условиям», а к 1580 годам handsome стало использоваться в значении «имеющий прекрасную форму, красивый, приятный для глаз». Примерно через 100 лет слово приобрело еще одно значение – «щедрый, благородный».
Гарриет Мартино, английская писательница, которая занималась социологией и экономикой, а также популяризировала экономическую науку с помощью рассказов, имевших в свое время колоссальный успех, обратила особое внимание на употребление слова handsome и его производных в своей работе «Общество в Америке».
[Americans] use the word «handsome» much more extensively than we do: saying that Webster made a handsome speech in the Senate: that a lady talks handsomely, (eloquently:) that a book sells handsomely. A gentleman asked me on the Catskill Mountain, whether I thought the sun handsomer there than at New York.
Harriet Martineau, Society in America, 1837
Варианты перевода handsome
красивый, симпатичный, привлекательный, статный, щедрый, благородный, порядочный
Произношение прилагательного handsome
handsome [ˈhæn.səm]
Примеры употребления прилагательного handsome
He was a handsome man, in a big-screen way, with the deep-set eyes and boyish smile and even the lumpy, interesting complexion of a Harrison Ford or a Robert Redford.
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 10 May 2004
An Alexandrian statue of a ruggedly handsome man with gaunt features like Caesar’s exploits the translucent glow of large-grained marble from the distant Greek island of Thasos, combining Roman attention to the texture of aging skin with the abstract elegance of Egyptian-style almond eyes and chiseled cheekbones.
Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic, 1 & 8 April 2002
The Galaxy’s first stop, St. Lucia’s capital city of Castries, has been destroyed by so many fires that travel writers dismiss it as holding little interest. There I came upon a handsome three-story brick building that had clearly withstood the city’s century of conflagrations. It was, of all things, a Carnegie Library, built by that American millionaire’s beneficence in 1916.
Carla Davidson, American Heritage, November 1999
Up until the end, Richard Gere is never much more than a handsome guy with a lot of money.
cleveland, 10 March 2022
Фото: Mens wear photo created by halayalex
1
: having a pleasing and usually impressive or dignified appearance
2
: moderately large : sizable
a painting that commanded a handsome price
3
: marked by skill or cleverness : adroit
4
: marked by graciousness or generosity : liberal
handsome contributions to charity
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for handsome
beautiful mountain scenery
lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.
handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.
a handsome Georgian mansion
pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.
a painter of conventionally pretty scenes
comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.
the comely grace of a dancer
fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.
Example Sentences
He was a handsome man, in a big-screen way, with the deep-set eyes and boyish smile and even the lumpy, interesting complexion of a Harrison Ford or a Robert Redford.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 10 May 2004
An Alexandrian statue of a ruggedly handsome man with gaunt features like Caesar’s exploits the translucent glow of large-grained marble from the distant Greek island of Thasos, combining Roman attention to the texture of aging skin with the abstract elegance of Egyptian-style almond eyes and chiseled cheekbones.
—Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic, 1 & 8 Apr. 2002
The Galaxy’s first stop, St. Lucia’s capital city of Castries, has been destroyed by so many fires that travel writers dismiss it as holding little interest. There I came upon a handsome three-story brick building that had clearly withstood the city’s century of conflagrations. It was, of all things, a Carnegie Library, built by that American millionaire’s beneficence in 1916.
—Carla Davidson, American Heritage, November 1999
With bonds and utility stocks under seige, many people who depend on these traditional income investments are taking a new look at real estate investment trusts. What they’re finding is that «REITs» generate handsome dividend yields of 6% or more while offering the possibility of capital gains. That’s not bad at a time when 10-year Treasury notes, which currently yield about 7%, come with the worry that rising interest rates will cause their value to plummet.
—Lynn Asinof, Wall Street Journal, 3 June 1994
It was a handsome house situated on a large lot.
The book includes many handsome illustrations.
I predict that someone tall, dark, and handsome is going to come into your life.
He inherited a handsome fortune.
He made a handsome profit on the sale of the house.
The book is a handsome tribute to a great poet.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Younger and more conventionally handsome than many a Don, Nadolski brings an extra layer of cockiness — that pays off nicely in the end.
—Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2023
Regé-Jean Page Most handsome man in the world Regé-Jean Page wears a velvet tux with feather lapel pin by Boucheron and ring by Vargas Goteo.
—Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023
Yet the 2023 model looks handsome, rugged and up-to-date.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
From the classic lace-up to the elegant broguing details to the casual derby form to the supple calf suede, these dress shoes boast a handsome design that speaks for themselves.
—Men’s Health, 3 Mar. 2023
The current-production Civic carries on the tradition of fuel efficiency and joyful road manners and elevates it with handsome exterior and interior design.
—Car and Driver, 22 Feb. 2023
And David was a handsome man.
—Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 14 Feb. 2023
Its streamlined, handsome design was almost better in person, and offered much more structure than the floppy weekender bags I was used to.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2023
Rollins was handsome, muscular, charismatic, and pissed.
—Matthew Schnipper, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘handsome.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English handsom easy to manipulate
First Known Use
1530, in the meaning defined at sense 5
Time Traveler
The first known use of handsome was
in 1530
Dictionary Entries Near handsome
Cite this Entry
“Handsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handsome. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on handsome
Last Updated:
12 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Experience something at first hand
To experience something at first hand is to experience it directly. This is different from learning about it through others.
Give someone a free hand
To give someone a free hand is to give them the freedom to act.
Gain an upper hand
When someone gains an upper hand, they become more powerful or victorious.
Get your hands dirty
To get your hands dirty is to engage in an activity that may not seem appealing. This expression is also used to talk about engaging in illicit activity.
Give your right arm
If you say that you would give your right arm to have something, you mean that you would like to have it very much.
Hand it to someone
To hand it to someone is to give them credit for something
Hand something to someone on a plate
To hand something to someone on a plate is to make it easy for them to have it.
Have your hands full
When you have your hands full, you have got quite a few things to keep you busy or engaged.
Done with a heavy hand
If something is done with a heavy hand, it is done in an oppressive manner.
Keep somebody at arm’s length
To keep someone at arm’s length is to maintain emotional or physical distance from them because you believe that they might have a bad influence on you.
Know something like the back of your hand
To know something like the back of your hand is to be thoroughly familiar with it.
The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
Used to imply that one body associated with another is not aware of the actions of the second body
Lend a helping hand
To lend a helping hand is to help.
In this entry we will learn English expression using the word hand. Let’s get started!
To get a hand in . To get a hand in is to begin a job, to begin to know something about it. When we learn the job completely, it will be easy for us. We will be able to do it hands down.
Out of hand, means it is out of control.
To hand it to someone. For example: I must hand it to you for understanding what we have discussed this far.
Lend a hand to someone, means that you help someone.
A free hand, means you are free to act without getting permission from someone else.
Hand over fist, means very rapidly. This expression began in the early seventeen hundreds. It reportedly comes from a sailing expression hand over hand, the way of quickly raising or lowering a sail.
To take a hand, means to be interested in. e.g. She will take a hand in our program.
Hand in glove, means as closely with us as a glove covers the hand, e.g. She wants to work hand in glove with you.
To take in hand, means to take over, e.g. She wants to take in hand our program, she wants to take it in hand.
There are still many expressions using the word “hand”. If you have, please write in the comment box.
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Idioms and expressions with hand are often used to describe actions, behaviors, or emotions. Some examples of idioms and expressions with hand include “have a hand in,” “at hand,” “lend a hand,” “in good hands,” and “by the hand.”
The following lesson introduces more than 25 popular idioms and phrases with “hand” with useful example sentences and ESL image.
Here is the list of idioms and expressions with Hand in English:
1. By hand – made by a person and not a machine
E.g. The fabric was painted by hand.
2. At hand/handy – nearby
E.g. I like to keep my vocabulary at hand.
3. On hand – present, available.
E.g. Are there enough people on hand to hold a meeting?
We have lots of people on hand to help you with this project.
4. Out of hand – out of control.
E.g. Employee absenteeism has gotten out of hand.
5. First hand – to experience something yourself.
E.g. I never knew how hard it was to play the guitar until I tried it first-hand.
6. Second hand – not from the original source/ used object.
E.g. Tom advised him not to buy the second-hand car
7. On the one hand…On the other hand – Compare two aspects of a situation.
E.g. On the one hand she is beautiful, from another hand she talks too much.
8. Know like the back of your hand – very well.
E.g. She’ll give you the name of a place to stay – she knows the area like the back of her hand.
9. Give a hand/ lend a hand – to help somebody physically.
E.g. Could you lend me a hand with this piano?
10. Hands down – obviously, without a doubt/easily, decisively.
E.g. Tom was hands-down the best student at the university.
11. Force someone’s hand – compel them to act prematurely or involuntarily.
E.g. They decided to strike to force the management’s hand.
12. Get your hands dirty – to engage in an important activity that may not be pleasant.
E.g. He’s not frightened of getting his hands dirty.
13. Hand something up – to present it to a higher authority, such as grand jury to a judge.
E.g. Please hand up this coffee to Carl.
14. Have (someone’s) blood on (one’s) hands –To be the cause of (someone’s) death; to bear the guilt or responsibility of (someone’s) death or injury.
E.g. The police now have blood on their hands after their crackdown on protesters turned violent.
15. Heavy-handed – using too much of something in a way that can cause damage
E.g. Don’t be too heavy-handed with the salt.
16. To be underhanded is to be deceitful.
E.g. I promise you there’s nothing underhand about this agreement.
17. Hold/put your hands up – to admit that you have made a mistake or are responsible for something bad
E.g. I have to hold my hands up and admit that some of the problems have been all my own fault.
18. In somebody’s capable, safe, etc. hands – being taken care of or dealt with by somebody that you think you can rely on
E.g. Can I leave these queries in your capable hands?
19. In the hands of somebody, in somebody’s hands – being taken care of or controlled by somebody
E.g. The matter is now in the hands of my lawyer.
20. In safe hands, in the safe hands of somebody – being taken care of well by somebody
E.g. Their problem was in the safe hands of the experts.
21. Keep your hand in – to occasionally do something that you used to do a lot so that you do not lose your skill at it
E.g. She retired last year but still teaches the odd class to keep her hand in.
22. Take your courage in both hands – to make yourself do something that you are afraid of
E.g. Taking her courage in both hands, she opened the door and walked in.
23. Take the law into your own hands – to do something illegal in order to punish somebody for doing something wrong, instead of letting the police deal with them
E.g. After a series of burglaries in the area, the police are worried that residents might take the law into their own hands.
24. Take your life in your hands – to risk being killed
E.g. You take your life in your hands just crossing the road here.
25. Turn your hand to something – to start doing something or be able to do something, especially when you do it well
E.g. Jim can turn his hand to most jobs around the house.
26. Wait on somebody hand and foot – to take care of somebody’s needs so well that they do not have to do anything for themselves
E.g. He seems to expect me to wait on him hand and foot.
27. Wash your hands of somebody/something – to refuse to be responsible for or involved with somebody/something
E.g. I’ve washed my hands of the whole sordid business.
28. Put your hand in your pocket – (British English) to spend money or give it to somebody
E.g. I’ve heard he doesn’t like putting his hand in his pocket.
Idioms and Expressions with HAND | Image
Idioms and Expressions with Hand – Infographic
