This is lesson 18 from Idiom Part 2. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.
Previous English Idiom Lesson
In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:
English Idiom Part 2- Lesson 18- Idioms about Hand
1. Shops change hands = Ownership of the shops is transferred from one person to another.
That bakery on the corner has recently changed hands; a young couple owns it now.
2. Reject something out of hand = Reject something completely without considering it.
She rejected the proposal out of hand, refusing to even hear the details.
3. Live from hand to mouth = To have just enough money to live on and nothing extra.
After losing his job, he had to live from hand to mouth for several months.
4. Turn (his/her) hand to almost anything = Be able to do many different tasks or activities well.
She’s so talented so can turn her hand to almost anything, from carpentry to coding.
5. Time on my hands = Not busy and have spare time.
Ever since retirement, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands, so I started painting again.
6- Take the law into your hands = Seek justice personally; Not letting legal authorities handle it.
No matter how angry you are, you should never take the law into your hands.
7. Keep (my) hand in = Continue to practice a skill occasionally to maintain ability.
Though I don’t work full-time anymore, I still keep my hand in by doing freelance projects.
8. Fall into the wrong hands = Something goes to people who would misuse it.
The classified information is sensitive and must not fall into the wrong hands.
9. My hands full = Very busy and can’t take on more responsibilities.
I’d love to help, but I’ve got my hands full now with the new project.
10. Out of hand = Out of control.
The situation at the protest quickly got out of hand.
11. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing = A situation where parts of an organization fail to coordinate.
The project failed because the right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing.
12. A golden handshake = A large financial compensation given to someone when they leave a job, often as a retirement or severance package.
The CEO left the company with a golden handshake worth millions.
13- Have a big hand in something = To be very involved in or responsible for something.
She had a big hand in organizing the charity event’s success.
14- Get (your) hands on = To obtain or acquire something, often something desired or hard to find.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on that limited-edition book for months.
15- Give someone a hand = To help or assist someone.
I’ll give you a hand with carrying those boxes upstairs.
Next English Idiom Lesson
In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:
Related Idioms
Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.
Idiom Part 2 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 2, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 2 page.
English Fluency Resources
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