hand
noun
uk/hænd/ us [ C ] WORKPLACE
someone employed to do physical work:
a factory/farm hand
hand in hand
always happening or being done together:
go hand in hand (with sth) Taking too much risk often goes hand in hand with another big mistake - putting all your money into one project.
working closely with someone:
I see myself working hand in hand with him on this.
at hand
available:
Help is at hand for owners of small and growing businesses.
being worked on or dealt with at the present time:
He would use his team members' particular experiences and talents to help him attack the problem at hand.
by hand
made or done using your hands rather than a machine:
She entered the information into a computer by hand.
delivered by a person, rather than sent in the mail:
It had been delivered by hand and there was no post mark.
See also
handmade
get your hands on sb/sth
informal
to find or get someone or something you want:
She would have to wait days for funds to clear before she could get her hands on the money.
good with your hands
able to make or do things well with your hands:
Martin was good with his hands and worked for a time repairing piers at a marina.
in hand
already available or being done:
Plans for the restructuring are already in hand.
in the hands of sb
being dealt with or looked after by a particular person or group of people:
leave/put sth in the hands of sb The document is important because it puts the decisions in the hands of management.
controlled or owned by a particular person or group of people:
be/lie/rest in the hands of sb The company's future is firmly in the hands of its creditors.
The post office in this country is still in the hands of the state.
on hand
available and ready to help or be used if necessary:
They said he had $7.5 million cash on hand.
be on hand to do sth A team of experts is on hand to answer individual problems or questions.
out of your hands
no longer able to be controlled by you, or no longer your responsibility:
The decision over his future had been taken out of his hands by management.
put your hand in your pocket UK
to give money to someone or to a charity:
People are more likely to put their hands in their pockets if they know it's for a good cause.
the job/matter in hand
the job or subject that is important at the present time:
He is a consummate professional, very focused on the job in hand.
to hand UK
near and able to be used:
Rosco always kept large amounts of cash to hand.
See also
hand in glove
cash in hand noun
change hands
handmade
hold noun
shake hands
a show of hands