handhand1 /hænd/ ●●● noun [countable] 
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BODY PART the body part at the end of a person’s arm that includes the fingers and thumb, used for picking up or holding things: 
Go wash your hands. I write with my right/left hand. I saw them holding hands and kissing. Maria took the child by the hand and led him away. Raise your hand (=lift it up) if you know the answer. Here’s a picture of me shaking hands with the mayor (=as a greeting or sign of friendship).2a hand help: Can you give/lend me a hand with this box? It’s really heavy. Do you need a hand with the cooking?3(on the one hand ...) on the other hand used when comparing two different or opposite facts or ideas: The movie was scary, but on the other hand it made me laugh. On the one hand, they work slowly, but on the other hand they always finish the job.4get out of hand to become impossible to control: The demonstration was getting out of hand.5in somebody’s hands/in the hands of somebody being dealt with or cared for by someone: The decision is in your hands. Don’t worry – the children are in good hands. Most farmland is in private hands (=owned or controlled by someone, not the government). The decision is now in the hands of the court.6on hand close and ready when needed: Our staff is always on hand to help.7hand in hand a)holding each other’s hands: They strolled hand in hand through the rose garden. b)if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected: Wealth and power go hand in hand in most societies.8by hand a)done or made by a person, not a machine: The rug was made by hand. b)delivered from one person to another, not through the mail9out of somebody’s hands if something is out of your hands, you have no control over it: The decision was out of her hands.10get/lay your hands on something to find or obtain something: I read every book I could get my hands on at school.11have a hand in something to influence or be involved in something: He scored one goal and had a hand in two others.12at hand formal a)near in time or space: Graduation day is close at hand. b)needing to be dealt with now: Let’s discuss the case at hand, shall we?13in hand being dealt with and controlled: Lisa seemed to have things in hand by the time he returned.14off your hands if someone or something is off your hands, you are not responsible for him, her, or it anymore: Once this problem is off our hands we can relax.15hands down easily: He would have won hands down if he hadn’t hurt his knee.16have your hands full to be very busy or too busy: You’re going to have your hands full once you have the baby!17give somebody a (big) hand to clap loudly for a performer or speaker18CLOCK one of the long things that point to the numbers on a clock19CARDS the cards that you are holding in a game → firsthand, left-hand, right-hand, secondhand, change hands at change1, shake somebody’s hand/shake hands (with somebody) at shake1, wait on somebody hand and foot at wait1COLLOCATIONSadjectivessomebody’s right/left hand I can’t really throw with my left hand.big/large hands He had very big hands and feet.small/tiny hands The baby’s hands were tiny.rough hands The farmer had big rough hands.clammy/sweaty hands (=with a lot of sweat) His hands get clammy when he’s nervous.outstretched hand (=stretched out towards someone or something) She took her father’s outstretched hand and began to walk from the room.a gloved hand (=wearing gloves) The doctor examined him with gloved hands.somebody’s free hand (=the hand someone is not already using) He used his free hand to pet the dog.verbsto have/hold something in your hand He had an envelope in his hand.to wash your hands You should always wash your hands before eating.to shake somebody’s hand also to shake hands with somebody (=to hold and move someone’s hand up and down as a greeting or goodbye) Ralph shook his hand as they prepared to leave.to raise your hand also to put your hand up (=to lift your hand, especially when you want to ask or answer a question) Only one student raised his hand.to clap your hands He laughed and clapped his hands.to hold hands (with somebody) The boy and the girl were holding hands and walking along the beach.to take somebody’s hand (=to begin holding someone’s hand) She took my hand and gave it a squeeze.to join hands (=to take hold of the hands of people on either side of you) They stood in a circle and joined hands.to wave your hand Marta waved a hand to attract his attention.to take somebody by the hand (=to hold someone’s hand in order to take him or her somewhere) She took the boy by the hand and led him across the street.to clasp your hands (=to hold them together tightly) Emily clasped her hands together and stood there nervously.to fold your hands (=to put your hands together and rest them on something) Lily folded both hands on her stomach.
1BODY PART the body part at the end of a person’s arm that includes the fingers and thumb, used for picking up or holding things: Go wash your hands. I write with my right/left hand. I saw them holding hands and kissing. Maria took the child by the hand and led him away. Raise your hand (=lift it up) if you know the answer. Here’s a picture of me shaking hands with the mayor (=as a greeting or sign of friendship).2a hand help: Can you give/lend me a hand with this box? It’s really heavy. Do you need a hand with the cooking?3(on the one hand ...) on the other hand used when comparing two different or opposite facts or ideas: The movie was scary, but on the other hand it made me laugh. On the one hand, they work slowly, but on the other hand they always finish the job.4get out of hand to become impossible to control: The demonstration was getting out of hand.5in somebody’s hands/in the hands of somebody being dealt with or cared for by someone: The decision is in your hands. Don’t worry – the children are in good hands. Most farmland is in private hands (=owned or controlled by someone, not the government). The decision is now in the hands of the court.6on hand close and ready when needed: Our staff is always on hand to help.7hand in hand a)holding each other’s hands: They strolled hand in hand through the rose garden. b)if two things go hand in hand, they are closely connected: Wealth and power go hand in hand in most societies.8by hand a)done or made by a person, not a machine: The rug was made by hand. b)delivered from one person to another, not through the mail9out of somebody’s hands if something is out of your hands, you have no control over it: The decision was out of her hands.10get/lay your hands on something to find or obtain something: I read every book I could get my hands on at school.11have a hand in something to influence or be involved in something: He scored one goal and had a hand in two others.12at hand formal a)near in time or space: Graduation day is close at hand. b)needing to be dealt with now: Let’s discuss the case at hand, shall we?13in hand being dealt with and controlled: Lisa seemed to have things in hand by the time he returned.14off your hands if someone or something is off your hands, you are not responsible for him, her, or it anymore: Once this problem is off our hands we can relax.15hands down easily: He would have won hands down if he hadn’t hurt his knee.16have your hands full to be very busy or too busy: You’re going to have your hands full once you have the baby!17give somebody a (big) hand to clap loudly for a performer or speaker18CLOCK one of the long things that point to the numbers on a clock19CARDS the cards that you are holding in a game → firsthand, left-hand, right-hand, secondhand, change hands at change1, shake somebody’s hand/shake hands (with somebody) at shake1, wait on somebody hand and foot at wait1COLLOCATIONSadjectivessomebody’s right/left hand I can’t really throw with my left hand.big/large hands He had very big hands and feet.small/tiny hands The baby’s hands were tiny.rough hands The farmer had big rough hands.clammy/sweaty hands (=with a lot of sweat) His hands get clammy when he’s nervous.outstretched hand (=stretched out towards someone or something) She took her father’s outstretched hand and began to walk from the room.a gloved hand (=wearing gloves) The doctor examined him with gloved hands.somebody’s free hand (=the hand someone is not already using) He used his free hand to pet the dog.verbsto have/hold something in your hand He had an envelope in his hand.to wash your hands You should always wash your hands before eating.to shake somebody’s hand also to shake hands with somebody (=to hold and move someone’s hand up and down as a greeting or goodbye) Ralph shook his hand as they prepared to leave.to raise your hand also to put your hand up (=to lift your hand, especially when you want to ask or answer a question) Only one student raised his hand.to clap your hands He laughed and clapped his hands.to hold hands (with somebody) The boy and the girl were holding hands and walking along the beach.to take somebody’s hand (=to begin holding someone’s hand) She took my hand and gave it a squeeze.to join hands (=to take hold of the hands of people on either side of you) They stood in a circle and joined hands.to wave your hand Marta waved a hand to attract his attention.to take somebody by the hand (=to hold someone’s hand in order to take him or her somewhere) She took the boy by the hand and led him across the street.to clasp your hands (=to hold them together tightly) Emily clasped her hands together and stood there nervously.to fold your hands (=to put your hands together and rest them on something) Lily folded both hands on her stomach.
