, with the hands, in distinction from instrumentality of tools, engines, or animals; as, to weed
a garden by hand; to lift, draw, or carry by hand. —
Clean hands
, freedom from guilt, esp. from the
guilt of dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe taking. "He that hath clean hands shall be stronger
and stronger." Job xvii. 9. —
From hand to hand
, from one person to another. —
Hand in hand
.
(a) In union; conjointly; unitedly.Swift.(b) Just; fair; equitable.
As fair and as good, a kind of hand in hand comparison.
Shak.
—
Hand over hand
,
Hand over fist
,
by passing the hands alternately one before or above another; as, to climb hand over hand; also, rapidly; as,
to come up with a chase hand over hand. —
Hand over head
, negligently; rashly; without seeing what
one does. [Obs.] Bacon. —
Hand running
, consecutively; as, he won ten times hand running. —
Hands off!
keep off! forbear! no interference or meddling! —
Hand to hand
, in close union; in close
fight; as, a hand to hand contest.Dryden. —
Heavy hand
, severity or oppression. —
In hand
. (a)
Paid down. "A considerable reward in hand, and . . . a far greater reward hereafter." Tillotson.(b)
In preparation; taking place.Chaucer. "Revels . . . in hand." Shak.(c) Under consideration, or in
the course of transaction; as, he has the business in hand. —
In one's hand
or
hands
. (a) In one's
possession or keeping.(b) At one's risk, or peril; as, I took my life in my hand. —
Laying on of hands
,
a form used in consecrating to office, in the rite of confirmation, and in blessing persons. —
Light hand
,
gentleness; moderation. —
Note of hand
, a promissory note. —
Off hand
,
Out of hand
, forthwith; without
delay, hesitation, or difficulty; promptly. "She causeth them to be hanged up out of hand." Spenser. —
Off one's hands
, out of one's possession or care. —
On hand
, in present possession; as, he has a
supply of goods on hand. —
On one's hands
, in one's possession care, or management. —
Putting
the hand under the thigh
, an ancient Jewish ceremony used in swearing. —
Right hand
, the place
of honor, power, and strength. —
Slack hand
, idleness; carelessness; inefficiency; sloth. —
Strict hand
,
severe discipline; rigorous government. —
To bear a hand
(Naut.), to give help quickly; to hasten. —
To bear in hand
, to keep in expectation with false pretenses. [Obs.] Shak. —
, to express joy or applause, as by striking the palms of the hands together. —
To come
to hand
, to be received; to be taken into possession; as, the letter came to hand yesterday. —
To get
hand
, to gain influence. [Obs.]
Appetites have . . . got such a hand over them.
Baxter.
—
To get one's hand in
, to make a beginning
in a certain work; to become accustomed to a particular business. —
To have a hand in
, to be concerned
in; to have a part or concern in doing; to have an agency or be employed in. —
To have in hand
. (a)
To have in one's power or control.Chaucer.(b) To be engaged upon or occupied with. —
To have
one's hands full
, to have in hand all that one can do, or more than can be done conveniently; to be
pressed with labor or engagements; to be surrounded with difficulties. —
To
have, or get
,
the (higher)
upper hand
, to have, or get, the better of another person or thing. —
To his hand
,
To my hand
,
etc., in readiness; already prepared. "The work is made to his hands." Locke. —
To hold hand
, to
compete successfully or on even conditions. [Obs.] Shak. —
To lay hands on
, to seize; to assault.
—
To lend a hand
, to give assistance. —
To
lift, or put forth
,
the hand against
, to attack; to oppose; to
kill. —
To live from hand to mouth
, to obtain food and other necessaries as want compels, without
previous provision. - -
To make one's hand
, to gain advantage or profit. —
To put the hand unto
,
to steal.Ex. xxii. 8.—
To put the
last, or finishing
,
hand to
, to make the last corrections in; to
complete; to perfect. —
To set the hand to
, to engage in; to undertake.
That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to.
Deut. xxiii. 20.
—
To stand
one in hand
, to concern or affect one. —
To strike hands
, to make a contract, or to become surety
for another's debt or good behavior. —
To take in hand
. (a) To attempt or undertake. (b) To seize
and deal with; as, he took him in hand. —
To wash the hands of
, to disclaim or renounce interest
in, or responsibility for, a person or action; as, to wash one's hands of a business.Matt. xxvii. 24. —
Under the hand of
, authenticated by the handwriting or signature of; as, the deed is executed under
the hand and seal of the owner.