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IT is, indeed, amazing how many idioms are derived from the word hand. This week brings the third and concluding part of the series of such idioms. Give someone a free hand: allow someone to do whatever they think is necessary in a particular situation. My father has told me that he will give me a free hand in the running of our family business if I prove myself equal to the task. Give/hand something to someone on a (silver) platter: let someone get something very easily. He never had to work hard for anything. When his grandfather died, he got the company on a silver platter. Hand over the reins: allow someone else to control something you controlled previously, especially an organisation or a country. In some countries it is customary for the emperor to hand over the reins of power to the eldest male offspring. Live (from) hand to mouth: have just enough money to live on and nothing extra. Prosperity, in many cases, is an urban phenomenon and most people in rural places continue to live from hand to mouth. Lay a hand on someone: hurt someone. I warned the school bully that if he laid a hand on my little brother, I would report him to the principal. Off hand: without much thought or preparation. I can’t give you the sales figures for the current year off hand. I will have to check with my sales manager. Someone’s right hand man: someone’s closest assistant or helper. His resignation has come as a big shock for the president of our company. He has been his right hand man for many years. Wait on someone hand and foot: do everything for someone so that they don’t have to do anything for themselves. Most men expect their wives to wait on them hand and foot. Try your hand at something: try doing something for the first time. I would love to try my hand at painting. (Reference: Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms) |
