English Profile

hand · noun C

/hænd/Full view

Word family

Nouns: hand, handful

Adjectives: underhand, handy

Verbs: hand

hand

A1 the part of your body on the end of your arm that has fingers and a thumb

Dictionary examples:

Take your hands out of your pockets!

You have to hold my hand when we cross the street.

They walked by, holding hands.

Hold your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right hand.

"Congratulations!" she said and shook my hand/shook hands with me.

Learner example:

Hi Sabrina The party was good. I forgot my phone in your house - I had it [in] my pocket, then it was in my hand and then I put [it] on [a] table in the kitchen. (Key English Test; A2; German)

a hand

B1 some help, especially to do something practical

Dictionary examples:

Could you give me a hand with these suitcases?

I think Matthew might need a hand with his homework.

Learner example:

She asked me to give her a hand. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

by hand

B1 done or made by a person instead of a machine

Dictionary example:

This sweater has to be washed by hand.

Learner example:

I used to remember my mother washing our clothes by hand, but for me it is just a matter of throwing the clothes into the washing machine and pressing a few buttons. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

on the one hand . . . on the other hand

B2 used when you are comparing two different ideas or opinions

Dictionary example:

On the one hand, computer games develop many skills, but on the other, they mean kids don't get enough exercise.

Learner example:

On the one hand, I know from my experience that it's much easier in life if you know more about everything, but on the other hand, I'd say that if someone [had given] me a chance (when I was kid) to study what I enjoy[ed], probably I'd have more possibility to develop my skills. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

hand in hand

B2 holding each other's hand

Dictionary example:

The children walked hand in hand.

Learner example:

Hand in hand they got off the train and she felt that her decision to leave was the best decision she had ever [made] in her life. (First Certificate in English; B2; Slovak)

go hand in hand

C1 If two things go hand in hand, they exist together and are connected with each other.

Dictionary example:

Prosperity goes hand in hand with investment.

Learner example:

Traffic and pollution go hand in hand. (International English Language Testing System; C1; German)

at hand

C1 near in time or space

Dictionary example:

Teachers are always close at hand to give help to any child who needs it.

Learner example:

I haven't had any lectures in English, but now and then there are lectures in English at the University so you need to understand the spoken language with no dictionary at hand. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

be in sb's hands

C1 to be in someone's control or care

Dictionary example:

The matter is now in the hands of my lawyer.

Learner example:

The future of our country is in the hands of these two men who are so different and who can't stand each other. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

in safe hands

C1 being cared for or dealt with by someone skilled

Dictionary example:

The project is in safe hands - Jan has lots of experience.

Learner example:

He has also been trained as a lifeguard so the residents of your hotel would probably be in safe hands. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

with your bare hands

C2 without using a weapon or tool

Dictionary example:

He broke the log in two with his bare hands!

Learner example:

I learned how to milk a cow, with my bare hands. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

on hand

C2 near to someone or something, and ready to help or be used when necessary

Dictionary example:

Extra supplies will be on hand, in case they are needed.

Learner example:

From their point of view, they can always have you on hand whenever they need help, which is the most important part in their formative years. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

get/lay your hands on sth

C2 to find something

Dictionary example:

Do you know where I can lay my hands on a pair of scissors?

Learner example:

And as long as we remain unable to distinguish between needs and desires, amassing material possessions to gratify our fleeting caprices or alleviate our frustrations, we are bound to be trapped in the illusion that only by laying our hands on the desired goods can we obtain happiness and peace of mind. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

in hand

C2 being worked on or dealt with now

Dictionary example:

Don't worry – we have the situation in hand.

Learner example:

Miss Kenton keeps asking Stevens whether everything is in hand and whether her help is required. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

have the upper hand

C2 to be in a stronger position than someone else so that you control a situation

Dictionary example:

Government troops are gradually gaining the upper hand over the rebels.

Learner example:

Humans vs. machines - who has the upper hand? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

get out of hand

C2 to become difficult to control

Dictionary example:

It was the end of week and the children were getting a little out of hand.

Learner example:

A few solutions can prevent this problem from getting out of hand. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

a free hand

C2 permission to make your own decisions about how you want to do something

Dictionary example:

The students were given a free hand as far as designing their projects was concerned.

Learner example:

But unlike my parents, I wouldn't give my children a free hand in solving their problems. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

have your hands full

C2 to be very busy

Dictionary example:

Shelley has her hands full with three kids under 5.

Learner example:

This very fact made my father work [like] a slave, as he was the only breadwinner at home, my mother having her hands full with us four. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)

take the law into your own hands

C2 to do something illegal in order to punish someone because you know that the law will not punish that person

Dictionary example:

The police did nothing about the thefts, so they took the law into their own hands.

Learner example:

Therefore, locals are scared to death, leading to their taking the law into their own hands. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

hand · verb T

/hænd/

Word family

Nouns: hand, handful

Adjectives: underhand, handy

Verbs: hand

hand

B1 to give someone something

Dictionary examples:

She handed him the letter.

He handed the car keys to her.

Could you hand me that book, please?

Learner example:

Maybe you could hand me a paper with several questions I can answer, thus I [would] cover the work I miss. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

you have to hand it to sb

C2 used when you want to show that you admire someone

Dictionary example:

You have to hand it to Mick, he's done a good job on that kitchen.

Learner example:

She had saved the bu[si]ness, and of course everybody knew it. Begrudgingly they'd had to hand it to her. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

hand sth down or hand down sth

C2 to pass possessions or traditions from older people to younger ones

Dictionary examples:

a custom handed down through the generations

This clock was handed down from my great-grandfather to my grandfather, then to my mother, and now to me.

Learner example:

The ring is of great significance to me as it was handed down from generation to generation, and I was the lucky one, who inherited it from my grandmother. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

hand in sth or hand sth in

B1 to give a piece of written work to a teacher

Dictionary example:

Have you handed in your homework yet?

hand out sth or hand sth out

B1 to give something to each person in a group or place

Dictionary examples:

The teacher asked her to hand out the worksheets.

They stood on the street corner handing out leaflets.

Learner example:

I handed out refreshment[s] to the pop group's members during breaks - my friends were so jealous of me! (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

hand over sb/sth or hand sb/sth over

B2 to give someone or something to someone else

Dictionary examples:

The hijacker was handed over to the French police.

They were ordered to hand over their weapons.

Learner example:

In the end, we handed them over to the police and we were rewarded. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)