Hand idioms: Idiomatic expressions using the word hand

Experience something at first hand

To experience something at first hand is to experience it directly. This is different from learning about it through others.

Give someone a free hand

To give someone a free hand is to give them the freedom to act.

Gain an upper hand

When someone gains an upper hand, they become more powerful or victorious.

Get your hands dirty

To get your hands dirty is to engage in an activity that may not seem appealing. This expression is also used to talk about engaging in illicit activity.

Give your right arm

If you say that you would give your right arm to have something, you mean that you would like to have it very much.

Hand it to someone

To hand it to someone is to give them credit for something

Hand something to someone on a plate

To hand something to someone on a plate is to make it easy for them to have it.

Have your hands full

When you have your hands full, you have got quite a few things to keep you busy or engaged.

Done with a heavy hand

If something is done with a heavy hand, it is done in an oppressive manner.

Keep somebody at arm’s length

To keep someone at arm’s length is to maintain emotional or physical distance from them because you believe that they might have a bad influence on you.

Know something like the back of your hand

To know something like the back of your hand is to be thoroughly familiar with it.

The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing

Used to imply that one body associated with another is not aware of the actions of the second body

Lend a helping hand

To lend a helping hand is to help.