The phrases about "hand"

Question

I am really confused by the following phrases, can you please be kind to tell me about their differences and give each an example sentense? I think some phrases can be used in the same way, but i am not sure. Thank you very much!!!

in one's hand
on one's hands
out of one's hand(s)
off sb's hands
in hand
at hand
out of hand

Bar9on · Accepted Answer

It's usually; In one hand i could do this, on the other hand i could do that.

out of one's hands = not under his control. nothing the person can do about it.

in hand = it's under control, being dealt with.

at hand = close by. convenient.

out of hand = out of control

hope this helps.

CalifJim · Answer

in one's hand - I know of no idiom like this - nothing I can think of just now, anyway.

on one's hands - burdening one with problems to solve or tasks to do - also to have one's hands full.

The kids are all sick this week; we've got [a lot on our hands / our hands full].

out of one's hands - not within one's control (any longer)

Sorry. I can't help you.

Your case has already been referred to a higher court. It's out of my hands now.

off sb's hands - away from one's control or responsibility (usually with "take")

We're going on vacation for a week, but we don't know where to leave the dogs.

Can you take the dogs off my hands for that long?

in hand - under control

Don't worry about the broken pipe. Jack's got everything in hand.

on hand - available nearby (often with "keep"; often about food and drink)

I always keep some coke on hand even though I don't drink it myself.

You never know when a guest might like some.

at hand - nearby; within reach

When assembling this table, be sure to keep the glue at hand.

out of hand - firmly, without thinking about it (usually with "dismiss" or "reject")

The boss rejected the employee's request out of hand.

CJ

Leehom · Answer

<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>Thank you for your reply! They become clearer to me, but I am a little confused by that it seems to me that "out of one's hand" and "off one's hands" is much alike, if not, what's the subtle differences and that for  as far as i am concerned, out of hand also has a meaning of "out of control", and when referred to your explanation about it, it is like off hand. Besides, on hand and in hand is much alike in some meaning? Is it correct? Looking forward to your reply! Thank you!

CalifJim · Answer

In practical terms, it is much too difficult and somewhat pointless to try to memorize all these expressions. They are all too similar. It is much better to learn them as you encounter them in your readings, one at a time.

Leehomit seems to me that "out of one's hands" and "off one's hands" is much alike

The

Leehomit seems to me that "out of one's hands" and "off one's hands" is much alike

They are a little alike. Read the descriptions again (below) and you'll see that "out of one's hands" is used when the speaker wishes to explain that he cannot provide what is requested because he does not control the situation. In contrast, "off one's hands" is used when the speaker wishes to relieve himself of his reponsibility for doing some task.

out of one's hands - not within one's control (any longer)

Sorry. I can't help you.

Your case has already been referred to a higher court. It's out of my hands now.

off sb's hands - away from one's control or responsibility (usually with "take")

We're going on vacation for a week, but we don't know where to leave the dogs.

Can you take the dogs off my hands for that long?

_______________

Rather than repeat all of these again, I think you need to look at the descriptions again, paying attention to every detail. For example, out of one's hands and out of hand look very similar, but they don't mean the same thing. You also mentioned that one of these is like off hand, but off hand was not even in the list of expressions you asked about and was not discussed earlier in this thread.

CJ

Leehom · Answer

Thank you very much!!!

The phrases about "hand"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions