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Glite Dictionary
to give a big hand

to give a big hand

2 3.7
To help someone a lot with a task or project
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : dar un gran aplauso
  • Let's give a big hand to the volunteers who helped organize this event.
  • Let's give a big hand

Examples

  • At the end of the performance, everyone stood up to give a big hand to the cast.

  • The audience was eager to give a big hand to the talented musicians after their final song.

  • Let's give a big hand for their fighting spirit.

    Girlfight (2000)

  • Now, let's give a big hand to the little lady who put it all together.

    Catch Me... If You Can (1989)

  • Let's give a big hand to Harmony Jones.

    Elvis Has Left the Building (2004)

  • Let's give a big hand to Stanley Wilson.

    Raise Your Voice (2004)

  • Ladies and gentlemen... ...perhaps you'd like to give a big hand... ...to Gina and Mike!

    Mickey Blue Eyes (1999)

  • Let's give a big hand to Pointy and Grindy.

    Mascots (2016)

  • All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big hand to miss Jacki Paar!

    Losin' It (1983)

  • #Let's all give a big hand to brett taylor For being chosen as this year's closing ceremony ambassador.

    Jinxed (2013)

Synonyms

to give a hand
vsto give a big hand
707 1.8

To help someone with something or to clap to show appreciation

is focused on substantial, sustained help not brief applause or aid
to help out
vsto give a big hand
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

suggests bigger, more committed support rather than temporary help
to help someone out
vsto give a big hand
  • Informal
182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

implies deeper or more significant support than routine assistance
to lend a hand
vsto give a big hand
  • Informal
28 1.3

To help someone with a task

means larger, more important help rather than brief assistance
to offer support
vsto give a big hand
28 2.7

To give help to someone during a difficult time

is focused on especially large or significant help
to hold someone's hand
vsto give a big hand
  • Informal
10 2.8

To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure

focuses on major practical assistance rather than intimate emotional support
to lend a helping hand
vsto give a big hand
  • Informal
6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

is stronger, meaning truly significant or major help
to extend a hand
vsto give a big hand
  • Informal
5 2.9

To offer help or friendship by reaching out your hand to someone

is about giving larger, direct help rather than a simple offer

Antonyms

neglect
100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

to hinder
75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

How Helpful

support
∞ 1.0
to give a big hand
2 3.7
assist
33 1.8
to lend a hand
  • Informal
28 1.3

Surface Forms

give a big hand infinitive
gave a big hand past
given a big hand past participle
giving a big hand present participle
gives a big hand third person singular

Morphology

give + a + big + hand

Although 'give' + 'hand' can transparently mean 'offer help', the usual sense in examples like 'Let's give a big hand to our volunteers!' is 'applaud' (give applause), which is not derivable from the literal meanings of the constituents. This is an idiomatic, language-specific extension that a B1 learner who only knows the individual words would not reliably infer.

Etymology

Give a big hand comes from the image of someone offering a large, strong hand to lift or support another person, with give showing the action. That's why it now means 'to help someone a lot'.