ALL meanings of in hand
in hand
I i - idioms in hand change hands, to pass from one owner to another; change possession: The property has changed hands several times in recent years. 1
- idioms in hand come to hand, to come within one's reach or notice: He was moved to tears when his father's old journal came to hand. to be received; arrive: The spring stock came to hand last week. 1
- idioms in hand eat out of one's hand, to be totally submissive to another; be very attentive or servile: That spoiled brat has her parents eating out of her hand. 1
- idioms in hand force one's hand, to prompt a person to take immediate action or to reveal his or her intentions: The criticism forced the governor's hand so that he had to declare his support of the tax bill. 1
- idioms in hand from hand to hand, from one person to another; through successive ownership or possession: The legendary jewel went from hand to hand. 1
- idioms in hand from hand to mouth, improvidently; precariously; with nothing in reserve: They looked forward to a time when they would no longer have to live from hand to mouth. 1
- idioms in hand give one's hand on / upon, to give one's word; seal a bargain by or as if by shaking hands: He said the goods would be delivered within a month and gave them his hand on it. 1
- idioms in hand hand and foot, so as to hinder movement: They tied him hand and foot. slavishly and continually: Cinderella had to wait on her stepsisters hand and foot. 1
- idioms in hand hand and glove, very intimately associated: Several high-ranking diplomats were found to be hand and glove with enemy agents. Also, hand in glove. 1
- idioms in hand hand in hand, with one's hand enclasped in that of another person. closely associated; concurrently; conjointly: Doctors and nurses work hand in hand to save lives. 1
- idioms in hand hand in one's checks, Chiefly British. cash1 (def 7). 1
- idioms in hand hand it to, Informal. to give just credit to; pay respect to: You have to hand it to her for getting the work out. 1
- idioms in hand hand over fist, speedily; increasingly: He owns a chain of restaurants and makes money hand over fist. 1
- idioms in hand hands down, effortlessly; easily: He won the championship hands down. indisputably; incontestably: It was hands down the best race I've ever seen. 1
- idioms in hand hands off!, don't touch, strike, or interfere! keep away from!: Hands off my stereo! 1
- idioms in hand hands up!, hold your hands above your head! give up! 1
- idioms in hand hand to hand, in direct combat; at close quarters: The troops fought hand to hand. 1
- idioms in hand have a hand in, to have a share in; participate in: It is impossible that she could have had a hand in this notorious crime. 1
- idioms in hand have one's hands full, to have a large or excessive amount of work to handle; be constantly busy: The personnel department has its hands full trying to process the growing number of applications. 1
- idioms in hand hold hands, to join hands with another person as a token of affection: They have been seen holding hands in public. 1
- idioms in hand in hand, under control: He kept the situation well in hand. in one's possession: cash in hand. in the process of consideration or settlement: regarding the matter in hand. 1
- idioms in hand join hands, to unite in a common cause; combine: The democracies must join hands in order to survive. 1
- idioms in hand keep one's hand in, to continue to practice: He turned the business over to his sons, but he keeps his hand in it. I just play enough golf to keep my hand in. 1
- idioms in hand lay one's hands on, to obtain; acquire: I wish I could lay my hands on a good used piano. to seize, especially in order to punish: He wanted to lay his hands on the person who had backed into his car. to impose the hands in a ceremonial fashion, as in ordination: The bishop laid hands on the candidates. 1
- idioms in hand lend / give a hand, to lend assistance; help out: Lend a hand and we'll finish the job in no time. 1
- idioms in hand lift a hand, to exert any effort: She wouldn't lift a hand to help anyone. Also, lift a finger. 1
- idioms in hand off one's hands, out of one's charge or care: Now, with their children grown and off their hands, they will be free to travel. successfully completed; finished: The lawyer planned a vacation as soon as the case was off his hands. 1
- idioms in hand on all hands, by everyone; universally: It was decided on all hands to take an excursion. on every side; all around: piercing glances on all hands. Also, on every hand. 1
- idioms in hand on hand, in one's possession; at one's disposal: cash on hand. about to occur; imminent: A change of government may be on hand. present: There were not enough members on hand to constitute a quorum. 1
- idioms in hand on the other hand, from another side or aspect; conversely: It was an unfortunate experience, but, on the other hand, one can learn from one's mistakes. 1
- idioms in hand on / upon one's hands, under one's care or management; as one's responsibility: He was left with a large surplus on his hands. 1
- idioms in hand out of hand, beyond control: to let one's temper get out of hand. without delay; at once: The crisis obliged him to act out of hand. no longer in process; finished: The case has been out of hand for some time. without consideration or deliberation: to reject a proposal out of hand. 1
- idioms in hand shake hands, to clasp another's hand in greeting, congratulation, or agreement: They shook hands on the proposed partnership. 1
- idioms in hand show one's hand, to disclose or display one's true intentions or motives: The impending revolution forced him to show his hand. 1
- idioms in hand sit on one's hands, to be unenthusiastic or unappreciative; fail to applaud: It was a lively show, but the audience sat on its hands. to take no action; be passive or hesitant: While he was being beaten, the others sat on their hands. 1
- idioms in hand take a hand in, to take part in; participate in: If the strike continues, the government will have to take a hand in the negotiations. 1
- idioms in hand take in hand, to undertake responsibility for; assume charge: When both parents died, an uncle took the youngster in hand. to deal with; treat of: We'll take the matter in hand at the next meeting. 1
- idioms in hand throw up one's hands, to admit one's inadequacy, exasperation, or failure; despair: When the general received reports of an enemy build-up, he threw up his hands. 1
- idioms in hand tie one's hands, to render one powerless to act; thwart: The provisions of the will tied his hands. Also, have one's hands tied. 1
- idioms in hand tip one's hand, to reveal one's plans or intentions before the propitious time. 1
- idioms in hand to hand, within reach; accessible or nearby. into one's possession: A search of the attic brought some valuable antiques to hand. 1
- idioms in hand try one's hand (at), to test one's skill or aptitude for: After becoming a successful painter, he decided to try his hand at sculpture. 1
- idioms in hand turn / put one's hand to, to set to work at; busy oneself with: He turned his hand successfully to gardening. 1
- idioms in hand wash one's hands of, to disclaim any further responsibility for; renounce interest in or support of: I washed my hands of the entire affair. 1
- idioms in hand with a heavy hand, with severity; oppressively: The law will punish offenders with a heavy hand. in a clumsy manner; awkwardly; gracelessly: The play was directed with a heavy hand. 1
- idioms in hand with a high hand, in an arrogant or dictatorial manner; arbitrarily: He ran the organization with a high hand. 1
- noun in hand the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb. 1
- noun in hand the corresponding part of the forelimb in any of the higher vertebrates. 1
- noun in hand a terminal prehensile part, as the chela of a crustacean, or, in falconry, the foot of a falcon. 1
- noun in hand something resembling a hand in shape or function, as various types of pointers: the hands of a clock. 1