hand in glove








To hand it to (someone) “acknowledge someone’s ability” is slang from c.1906. Phrase on the one hand … on the other hand is recorded from 1630s, a figurative use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to Old English Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from c.1500. Hand-in-hand attested from c.1500 as “with hands clasped;” figurative sense of “concurrently” recorded from 1570s.

v.

c.1400, “take charge of, seize,” from hand (n.). Meaning “to pass (something to someone)” is from 1640s. Related: Handed; handing.

n.

  1. The terminal part of the human arm located below the forearm, used for grasping and holding and consisting of the wrist, palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb.
  2. A homologous or similar part in other animals.

On intimate terms, in close association, as in The internist is hand in glove with the surgeon, so you’d better get a second opinion. This metaphoric expression for a close fit was already included in John Ray’s 1678 collection of proverbs, when it was put hand and glove.

In addition to the idioms beginning with hand

  • hand and foot
  • hand down
  • hand in glove
  • hand in hand
  • hand in the till, with one’s
  • hand it to
  • handle to one’s name
  • handle with gloves
  • hand on
  • hand out
  • hand over
  • hand over fist
  • hand over hand
  • hands are tied
  • hands down
  • hands off
  • hands up
  • hand to hand
  • hand to mouth, from
  • hand to on a silver platter

also see:

  • at first hand
  • at hand
  • at second hand
  • at the hand of
  • back of one’s hand
  • bare hands
  • bird in the hand
  • bite the hand that feeds you
  • bound hand and foot
  • by hand
  • catch red-handed
  • change hands
  • clean hands
  • cold hands, warm heart
  • deal in (one a hand)
  • dirty one’s hands
  • eat out of someone’s hand
  • feed (hand) someone a line
  • force someone’s hand
  • free hand
  • from hand to hand
  • give a hand
  • glad hand
  • grease someone’s palm (hand)
  • hang heavy on one’s hands
  • hat in hand
  • have a hand in
  • have one’s hands full
  • heavy hand
  • helping hand
  • in good hands
  • in hand
  • in one’s hands
  • in the hands of
  • iron hand
  • keep one’s hand in
  • know like a book (the back of one’s hand)
  • lay hands on
  • left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
  • left-handed compliment
  • lend a hand
  • many hands make light work
  • off one’s hands
  • on a platter, hand
  • on hand
  • on one’s hands
  • on the one hand
  • on the other hand
  • out of control (hand)
  • out of hand
  • play into the hands of
  • putty in someone’s hands
  • raise a hand against
  • right-hand man
  • rub one’s hands
  • shake hands
  • show of hands
  • show one’s hand
  • sit on one’s hands
  • sleight of hand
  • take in hand
  • take into one’s hands
  • take one’s life (in one’s hands)
  • take the law into one’s hands
  • throw in one’s hand
  • throw up one’s hands
  • tie one’s hands
  • time on one’s hands
  • tip one’s hand
  • to hand
  • try one’s hand
  • turn one’s hand to
  • upper hand
  • wait on hand and foot
  • wash one’s hands of
  • with one arm (hand) tied
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