Definition of the word hand

Pronunciation of vocabulary hand

handnoun
tay, bàn tay, trao tay, truyền cho
/hand/

Origin of the word hand

The origin of the word "hand" is believed to date back to Old English, Germanic, and Indo-European roots. The word "hand" comes from the Old English word "händ", which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*handiz", from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ghe" or "*khe", meaning "to grasp" or "to seize". This root is also related to other words for "grasp" or "clutch" in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin "capio" and Greek "χέω" (chéo). Over time, the spelling and meaning of the word "hand" have evolved, but its roots remain tied to the concept of grasping or seizing. Today, the word "hand" refers to the limb at the end of the arm, as well as various idiomatic expressions, such as "to extend one's hand" or "to shake hands".

Vocabulary summary hand

type noun

meaning hand, hand (human); forefoot (quadruped)

example to hand the plate round

example to hand something over to someone

example to hand down (on) to posterity

meaning power; having (in hand); holding (in hand); control

example to hand someone into (out of) the carriage

example to have the situation well in hand

example in the hands of

meaning participation, involvement; participation

example to have (bear) a hand in something

type transitive verb

meaning hand over, transfer, deliver; transmit

example to hand the plate round

example to hand something over to someone

example to hand down (on) to posterity

meaning give a hand

example to hand someone into (out of) the carriage

example to have the situation well in hand

example in the hands of

meaning (nautical) roll up (sails)

example to have (bear) a hand in something

Example of vocabulary handpart of body

the part of the body at the end of the arm, including the fingers and thumb

phần cơ thể ở cuối cánh tay, bao gồm các ngón tay và ngón cái

Ian placed a hand on her shoulder.
Ian đặt tay lên vai cô.
Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Luôn giữ cả hai tay trên vô lăng.
She had a large diamond on the ring finger of her left hand.
Cô có một viên kim cương lớn ở ngón đeo nhẫn của bàn tay trái.
He was holding a large mug of coffee in his right hand.
Anh ấy đang cầm một cốc cà phê lớn trên tay phải.
Put your hand up if you know the answer.
Hãy giơ tay nếu bạn biết câu trả lời.
She was on (her) hands and knees (= crawling on the floor) looking for an earring.
Cô ấy đang bò trên tay và đầu gối (= bò trên sàn) để tìm một chiếc khuyên tai.
Couples strolled past holding hands.
Những cặp đôi nắm tay nhau dạo bước.
She introduced us and we shook hands.
Cô ấy giới thiệu chúng tôi và chúng tôi bắt tay nhau.
Give me your hand (= hold my hand) while we cross the road.
Đưa tay cho tôi (= nắm tay tôi) khi chúng ta băng qua đường.
The crowd threw up their hands (= lifted them into the air) in dismay.
Đám đông giơ tay lên (= nhấc chúng lên không trung) trong sự thất vọng.
He killed the snake with his bare hands (= using only his hands).
Anh ta giết con rắn bằng tay không (= chỉ dùng tay).
a hand gesture/signal
một cử chỉ/tín hiệu bằng tay
a hand towel (= a small towel for drying your hands on)
một chiếc khăn tay (= một chiếc khăn nhỏ để lau khô tay)
a hand drill (= one that is used by turning a handle rather than powered by electricity)
một máy khoan cầm tay (= một máy được sử dụng bằng cách xoay tay cầm thay vì chạy bằng điện)

Extra examples:

A strong hand reached out and caught hold of her arm.
Một bàn tay mạnh mẽ vươn ra nắm lấy cánh tay cô.
Beth grasped the rope with both hands.
Beth nắm lấy sợi dây bằng cả hai tay.
Clive ran a hand through his hair.
Clive đưa tay vuốt tóc.
Eager hands reached out to help him.
Những bàn tay háo hức đưa ra giúp đỡ anh.
He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.
Anh bực bội đập tay vào vô lăng.

Example of vocabulary hand-handed

using the hand or number of hands mentioned

sử dụng bàn tay hoặc số bàn tay được đề cập

a one-handed catch
bắt bằng một tay
left-handed scissors (= intended to be held in your left hand)
kéo dành cho người thuận tay trái (= dự định cầm bằng tay trái của bạn)

Example of vocabulary handhelp

help in doing something

giúp đỡ trong việc làm một cái gì đó

The neighbours are always willing to lend a hand.
Hàng xóm luôn sẵn sàng giúp đỡ một tay.
Let me give you a hand with those bags (= help you to carry them).
Hãy để tôi giúp bạn một tay với những chiếc túi đó (= giúp bạn mang chúng).
Do you need a hand with those invoices?
Bạn có cần giúp đỡ với những hóa đơn đó không?

Example of vocabulary handrole in situation

the part or role that somebody/something plays in a particular situation; somebody’s influence in a situation

phần hoặc vai trò của ai đó/cái gì đó trong một tình huống cụ thể; ảnh hưởng của ai đó trong một tình huống

Early reports suggest the hand of rebel forces in the bombings.
Các báo cáo ban đầu cho thấy có bàn tay của lực lượng nổi dậy trong vụ đánh bom.
Several of his colleagues had a hand in his downfall.
Một số đồng nghiệp của anh ấy đã góp tay vào sự sụp đổ của anh ấy.
This appointment was an attempt to strengthen her hand in policy discussions.
Việc bổ nhiệm này là một nỗ lực nhằm tăng cường sức mạnh của bà trong các cuộc thảo luận chính sách.

Example of vocabulary handon clock/watch

a part of a clock or watch that points to the numbers

một phần của đồng hồ hoặc đồng hồ chỉ vào các con số

Example of vocabulary handworker

a person who does physical work on a farm or in a factory

người làm công việc thể chất ở trang trại hoặc nhà máy

The farmer would bring in hired hands to help him harvest the crop.
Người nông dân sẽ thuê những người làm thuê để giúp anh ta thu hoạch mùa màng.

Example of vocabulary handsailor

a sailor on a ship

một thủy thủ trên một con tàu

All hands on deck!
Tất cả đều sẵn sàng!

Example of vocabulary handhand-

by a person rather than a machine

bởi một người chứ không phải là một cỗ máy

hand-painted pottery
đồ gốm vẽ tay
hand-knitted
đan tay
This item should be hand-washed.
Mặt hàng này nên được giặt bằng tay.
Mail for hand delivery is put in a separate tray.
Thư gửi tận tay được để vào khay riêng.

Example of vocabulary handin card games

a set of playing cards given to one player in a game

một bộ bài được trao cho một người chơi trong trò chơi

to be dealt a good/bad hand
được chia một ván bài tốt/xấu
She felt that life had dealt her a bad hand.
Cô cảm thấy cuộc đời đã xử tệ với cô.

one stage of a game of cards

một giai đoạn của trò chơi bài

I'll have to leave after this hand.
Tôi sẽ phải rời đi sau bàn tay này.
Who dealt the last hand?
Ai là người xử lý bàn tay cuối cùng?

Example of vocabulary handwriting

a particular style of writing

một phong cách viết cụ thể

Example of vocabulary handmeasurement for horse

a unit for measuring the height of a horse, equal to 4 inches or 10.16 centimetres

đơn vị đo chiều cao của ngựa, bằng 4 inch hoặc 10,16 cm

Words, synonyms, related vocabulary hand

Idioms of vocabulary hand

all hands on deck

(saying, humorous)everyone helps or must help, especially in a difficult situation

There are 30 people coming to dinner tonight, so it's all hands on deck.

(close/near) at hand

close to you in time or distance

Help was at hand.

The property is ideally located with all local amenities close at hand.

at the hands of somebody | at somebody’s hands

(formal)if you experience something at the hands of somebody, they are the cause of it

They suffered years of repression at the hands of the old regime.

be good with your hands

to show skill at making or doing things with your hands

bind/tie somebody hand and foot

to tie somebody’s hands and feet together so that they cannot move or escape

to prevent somebody from doing what they want by creating rules, limits, etc.

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

(saying)it is better to keep something that you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get much more

bite the hand that feeds you

to harm somebody who has helped you or supported you

by hand

by a person rather than a machine

The fabric was painted by hand.

Delicate clothes should be washed by hand.

We can apply the power of computational tools in solving mathematical problems that cannot be solved by hand.

if a letter is delivered by hand, it is delivered by the person who wrote it, or somebody who is sent by them, rather than by post

cash in hand

(British English, informal)if you pay for goods and services cash in hand, you pay in cash, especially so that the person being paid can avoid paying tax on the amount

a cash-in-hand payment of £20

change hands

to pass to a different owner

The house has changed hands several times.

close at hand

near; in a place where somebody/something can be reached easily

There are good cafes and a restaurant close at hand.

the dead hand of something

an influence that controls or limits something

We need to free business from the dead hand of bureaucracy.

the devil makes work for idle hands

(saying)people who do not have enough to do often start to do wrong

She blamed the crimes on the local jobless teenagers. ‘The devil makes work for idle hands,’ she would say.

eat out of your/somebody’s hand

to trust somebody and be willing to do what they say

She'll have them eating out of her hand in no time.

fall into somebody’s hands/the hands of somebody

(formal)to become controlled by somebody

The town fell into enemy hands.

We don't want this document falling into the wrong hands.

After the war, the hotel fell into the hands of an American consortium.

a firm hand

strong control or discipline

Those children need a firm hand to make them behave.

(at) first hand

by experiencing, seeing, etc. something yourself rather than being told about it by somebody else

The President visited the area to see the devastation at first hand.

fold your hands

to bring or hold your hands together

She kept her hands folded in her lap.

force somebody’s hand

to make somebody do something that they do not want to do or make them do it sooner than they had intended

They decided to strike to force the management’s hand.

gain, get, have, etc. the upper hand

to get an advantage over somebody so that you are in control of a particular situation

get your hands dirty

to do physical work

He's not frightened of getting his hands dirty.

get, have, etc. a free hand

to get, have, etc. the opportunity to do what you want to do and to make your own decisions

I was given a free hand in designing the syllabus.

give somebody/get a big hand

to show your approval of somebody by clapping your hands; to be applauded in this way

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a big hand to our special guests tonight.

give/lend a helping hand

to help somebody

go cap in hand (to somebody)

to ask somebody for something, especially money, in a very polite way that makes you seem less important

There’s no way he’ll go cap in hand to his brother.

somebody’s hand (in marriage)

(old-fashioned)permission to marry somebody, especially a woman

He asked the general for his daughter's hand in marriage.

hand in glove (with somebody)

working closely with somebody, especially in a secret and/or illegal way

hand in hand

if two people are hand in hand, they are holding each other’s hand

They walked through the park hand in hand.

if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected and one thing causes the other

Poverty and poor health often go hand in hand.

hands down

(informal)easily and without any doubt

They won hands down.

It is hands down the best movie this year.

(get/take/keep your) hands off (something/somebody)

(informal)used to tell somebody not to touch something/somebody

Get your hands off my wife!

Hey, hands off! That's my drink!

She warned her brother to keep his hands off her bag.

hands up!

used to tell a group of people to raise one hand in the air if they know the answer to a question, etc.

Hands up all those who want to go swimming.

used by somebody who is threatening people with a gun to tell them to raise both hands in the air

have somebody’s blood on your hands

to be responsible for somebody’s death

a dictator with the blood of thousands on his hands

have your hands full

to be very busy or too busy to do something else

She certainly has her hands full with four kids in the house.

have your hands tied

to be unable to do what you want to do because of rules, promises, etc.

I really wish I could help but my hands are tied.

have somebody in the palm of your hand

to have complete control or influence over somebody

Even before he plays a note, he has the audience in the palm of his hand.

have time on your hands | have time to kill

(informal)to have nothing to do or not be busy

have/hold, etc. the whip hand (over somebody/something)

to be in a position where you have power or control over somebody/something

She had the whip hand and it was useless to resist.

heavy hand

a way of doing something or of treating people that is much stronger and less sensitive than it needs to be

the heavy hand of management

hold somebody’s hand

to give somebody support in a difficult situation

Do you want me to come along and hold your hand?

hold/put your hands up (to something)

to admit that you have made a mistake or are responsible for something bad

I have to hold my hands up and admit that some of the problems have been all my own fault.

The solicitor confirmed that his clients were holding their hands up to the offences.

in somebody’s capable, safe, etc. hands

being taken care of or dealt with by somebody that you think you can rely on

Can I leave these queries in your capable hands?

He retired feeling confident that his company was in safe hands.

in hand

if you have time or money in hand, it is left and available to be used

We managed to redecorate the house and still have some savings in hand.

She completed the first part of the exam with over an hour in hand.

if you have a particular situation in hand, you are in control of it

Don’t worry about the travel arrangements—everything is in hand.

the job, question, etc. in hand is the one that you are dealing with

Please confine your comments to the topic in hand.

if somebody works a week, month, etc. in hand, they are paid for the work a week, etc. after they have completed it

in the hands of somebody | in somebody’s hands

being taken care of or controlled by somebody

The matter is now in the hands of my lawyer.

At that time, the castle was in enemy hands.

in safe hands | in the safe hands of somebody

being taken care of well by somebody

I've left the kids in safe hands—with my parents.

Their problem was in the safe hands of the experts.

an iron fist/hand (in a velvet glove)

if you use the words an iron fist/hand when describing the way that somebody behaves, you mean that they treat people severely. This treatment may be hidden behind a kind appearance (the velvet glove).

They promised that the army would strike with an iron fist at any resistance.

The iron hand in the velvet glove approach seems to work best with this age group.

I’ve only got one pair of hands

(informal)used to say that you are too busy to do anything else

join hands (with somebody)

if two people join hands, they hold each other’s hands

to work together in doing something

Education has been reluctant to join hands with business.

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

She retired last year but still teaches the odd class to keep her hand in.

know somebody/something inside out | know somebody/something like the back of your hand

(informal)to be very familiar with somebody/something

This is where I grew up. I know this area like the back of my hand.

lay/get your hands on somebody

to catch somebody that you are annoyed with

Wait till I get my hands on him!

lay/get your hands on something

to find or get something

I know their address is here somewhere, but I can't lay my hands on it right now.

I desperately need to get my hands on some money by Monday.

live (from) hand to mouth

to spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food without being able to save any money

make/lose money hand over fist

to make/lose money very fast and in large quantities

many hands make light work

(saying)used to say that a job is made easier if a lot of people help

not do a hand’s turn

(old-fashioned)to do no work

She hasn't done a hand's turn all week.

not lift/raise a finger/hand (to do something)

(informal)to do nothing to help somebody

The children never lift a finger to help around the house.

offer your hand

(formal)to hold out your hand for somebody to shake

off your hands

no longer your responsibility

on either/every hand

(literary)on both/all sides; in both/all directions

Mist curled from the water on either hand.

on hand

available, especially to help

The emergency services were on hand with medical advice.

on your hands

if you have somebody/something on your hands, you are responsible for or have to deal with them/it

Let me take care of the invitations—you've enough on your hands with the caterers.

They’ll have a fight on their hands if they want to close down the school.

(on the one hand…) on the other (hand)…

used to introduce different points of view, ideas, etc., especially when they are opposites

On the one hand they'd love to have kids, but on the other, they don't want to give up their freedom.

out of hand

difficult or impossible to control

Unemployment is getting out of hand.

if you reject, etc. something out of hand, you do so immediately without thinking about it fully or listening to other people’s arguments

All our suggestions were dismissed out of hand.

out of your hands

no longer your responsibility

I'm afraid the matter is now out of my hands.

overplay your hand

to fail to achieve success by judging your position to be stronger than it really is

a pair of hands

(informal)a person who can do, or is doing, a job

We need an extra pair of hands if we're going to finish on time.

play into somebody’s hands

to do exactly what an enemy, opponent, etc. wants so that they gain the advantage in a particular situation

If we get the police involved, we'll be playing right into the protesters' hands.

put your hand in your pocket

(British English)to spend money or give it to somebody

I've heard he doesn't like putting his hand in his pocket.

(like) putty in somebody’s hands

easily controlled or influenced by another person

She'll persuade him. He's like putty in her hands.

raise a/your hand against/to somebody

to hit or threaten to hit somebody

a safe pair of hands

(especially British English)a person that you can trust to do a job well

Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands.

(at) second, third, etc. hand

by being told about something by somebody else who has seen it or heard about it, not by experiencing, seeing, etc. it yourself

I'm fed up of hearing about these decisions third hand!

show your hand/cards

to make your plans or intentions known

a show of hands

a way of voting for or against something in which people raise their hands to vote

The vote was passed by a show of hands.

Let’s have a show of hands. Who’s in favour of the proposal?

stay your hand

(old-fashioned or literary)to stop yourself from doing something; to prevent you from doing something

It was prudence, not logic, that stayed his hand.

take your courage in both hands

to make yourself do something that you are afraid of

Taking her courage in both hands, she opened the door and walked in.

take somebody in hand

to deal with somebody in a strict way in order to improve their behaviour

take something into your own hands

to deal with a particular situation yourself because you are not happy with the way that others are dealing with it

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

After a series of burglaries in the area, the police are worried that residents might take the law into their own hands.

When police failed to arrest the suspect, local people took the law into their own hands and beat him up.

take your life in your hands

to risk being killed

You take your life in your hands just crossing the road here.

throw your hand in

(informal)to stop doing something or taking part in something, especially because you are not successful

throw up your hands

to raise both hands in the air to show that you are feeling annoyed or upset about something

We threw up our hands in despair at the scale of the problem.

to hand

that you can reach or get easily

I'm afraid I don't have the latest figures to hand.

Keep a pen and paper to hand for details of this week’s competition.

try your hand (at something)

to do something such as an activity or a sport for the first time

turn your hand to something

to start doing something or be able to do something, especially when you do it well

Jim can turn his hand to most jobs around the house.

wait on somebody hand and foot

(disapproving)to take care of somebody’s needs so well that they do not have to do anything for themselves

He seems to expect me to wait on him hand and foot.

wash your hands of somebody/something

to refuse to be responsible for or involved with somebody/something

When her son was arrested again she washed her hands of him.

I’ve washed my hands of the whole sordid business.

win (something) hands down

(informal)to win something very easily

wring somebody’s hand

to press somebody’s hand very hard when you shake hands

wring your hands

to hold your hands together, and twist and press them together in a way that shows you are anxious or upset, especially when you cannot change the situation

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