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hand

hand

4.9
A worker who does physical work on a ship or farm
  • noun
  • /hænd/
translation icon : peón
  • The soil was then broken up by hand, and the roots were sorted.
  • hired hands

Examples

  • Our lives are in each other's hands.

  • Management needs were obvious in vocational classrooms because so many hands-on activities were happening at one time.

    Academic text (2012)
  • I love to work with my hands, create something with my hands.

  • There is only one member of staff on hand to deal with emergencies.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Workers would carry in straight rods, hand bend them on a fixture, and hand weld them together.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Many farm hands gathered in the field to help with the harvest.

  • The crew hands worked tirelessly to repair the ship after the storm.

  • During the event, several hired hands provided assistance in serving food.

Synonyms

worker
vshand
600 1.0

A person employed to do physical or routine jobs

is narrower, focusing specifically on those who do manual tasks
laborer
vshand
  • US
68 1.0

A person who does hard physical work without special skills, often on building sites

is broader, covering manual work that may include skill or training
farm worker
vshand
25 1.1

A person who works on a farm doing jobs like planting or harvesting

is the general category that also names farm-specific workers
workman
vshand
13 1.4

A person who does physical jobs like building or fixing things

is neutral in gender and covers all manual or physical workers
ranch hand
vshand
  • US
10 4.4

A person who works on a ranch caring for cattle or horses

is the general manual worker term that covers ranch roles too
deckhand
vshand
8 5.7

A crew member who does physical work on a ship's deck

is the general term covering such ship crew and other manual workers
farmhand
vshand
8 3.0

A person paid to work on a farm doing hard work

is more general, applying beyond farm work to all manual jobs
grip
vshand
  • Jargon
7 8.4

A film worker who sets up and moves camera and light equipment

is a broad manual-worker term not limited to film industry tasks
hired hand
vshand
7 3.6

A person paid to do manual work on a farm or ranch

is a broader label for any manual worker including such employees
field hand
vshand
5 4.0

A person who does hard physical work on a farm

is a wider term for manual workers beyond just field tasks
cowhand
vshand
  • US
4 4.6

A person who cares for cattle and works on a ranch, often riding a horse

is broader, covering any manual role not limited to cattle care
hired man
vshand
4 3.2

A man who works on a farm for pay

is gender neutral and covers all manual workers, not only men
manual laborer
vshand
  • US
1 3.0

A person who does hard work using their hands

is a similar general term but used in everyday, less formal contexts
dockhand
vshand
1 6.7

A person who loads and unloads ships at a dock

is the general term that also names port and ship crew workers
deckie
vshand
  • Jargon
9.3

A person who works on the deck of a ship

is the neutral, standard term rather than an informal label
fieldhand
vshand
  • US
7.0

A person who works on a farm doing physical work in the fields

is the general manual-worker label that also includes field roles
mill-hand
vshand
6.9

A person who works in a mill or factory operating machines

is broader, applying to manual workers in many settings beyond mills
handloader
vshand
7.5

A person who moves boxes or goods by hand instead of using machines

is a general term for workers who do manual loading tasks
section hand
vshand
  • Jargon
8.2

A worker who fixes and looks after a part of a railroad track

is the wider manual-worker label that includes such crew roles

Idioms

Shows a different idea from what you said before

out of hand
  • Informal
176 4.8

A situation that is not under control and hard to manage

106 1.0

Close by and easy to reach when you need it

81 2.1

Ready to use or help when needed

81 2.0

To do something with your hands, for example writing or making things, instead of with a machine

To introduce one of two contrasting points in a discussion

69 2.1

Under control and dealt with successfully

60 3.2

Used to show one idea that you will compare with another

54 3.2

People or groups work closely together to reach the same goal

51 3.2

About to happen

13 1.0

Two people hold each other's hands while walking together

Know a place or thing very well because you have seen it many times

Knowing a place or subject very well

hand and foot
  • Informal
7 6.6

Give someone complete care and do everything they want

To harm someone who helps you

6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

hand over fist
  • Informal
5 5.9

Happens very quickly, often when someone earns a lot of money

to extend a hand
  • Informal
5 2.9

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

5 3.8

During very close fighting when people stand next to each other

Near you and easy to reach

4 4.9

To have a very small number of people or things

hat in hand
  • Informal
3 7.2

In a humble and respectful way when you ask for something or admit a mistake

3 7.0

Show too much confidence and take risks that make you lose your advantage

Likely to happen very soon

hand in glove
  • Informal
2 7.0

Working very closely in a secret or dishonest way

hand to God
  • Informal
2 8.2

Say it to promise that what you say is true

hand to mouth
  • Informal
2 6.3

Living with only enough money for day to day needs and no savings

talk to the hand
  • Offensive
2 9.7

A rude phrase with a hand gesture that tells someone you will not listen

Done personally by the person who made or wrote it

1 6.5

Make someone decide or act sooner than they want

hand-to-mouth
  • Informal
1 6.8

To live with only enough money to pay for basic needs and no savings

To mention one part of a situation while comparing it with another

To do everything for someone and meet all their needs

To steal money from your workplace, for example from a cash register

You can reach and use it right away

Put someone into a difficult situation they cannot control because of bad luck

1 8.0

To stop someone completely from acting freely

1 7.9

To put someone into a bad or difficult situation because of bad luck

Directly from the person, place, or event involved

hand and glove
  • Informal
1 6.1

Working very closely together

1 8.8

To ask people for money by showing you need it

Very few people or things you can count on one hand

To accept what you cannot change and make the best of it

7.7

Not able to act freely because rules or people stop you

7.7

In a humble way when asking for help or forgiveness

A rude way to say someone is in an embarrassing situation and unprepared

A past rule or tradition that still controls and prevents change

5.0

To handle a situation well by using what you have

To be unprepared and embarrassed in front of other people

Very easy for anyone to understand or do

Put as much as your hand can hold

To know something very well and do it easily

Compounds

191 1.0

The part of the body on the right side that you use to hold things and write

149 1.0

The hand on the left side of the body

upper hand
  • Informal
54 3.2

A position giving power or advantage over someone in a situation

45 1.3

On or toward the right side

41 3.5

A trusted helper who works closely with a leader

31 1.4

Someone who gives support when you need it

A person who helps a leader and is trusted with important work

25 2.7

A thing you use with the left hand

hand job
  • Offensive
24 9.9

A sexual act where one person uses a hand to touch a man's penis for pleasure

22 3.4

The job you are doing now that needs your attention

19 2.2

Not new, bought from someone who owned it before

18 2.9

Loud applause from an audience to show strong approval

18 3.7

Small and light enough to hold and use with one hand

18 1.0

On the left side of something

18 5.4

Physical fighting that happens very close to someone

hand grenade
  • Specialized
17 4.2

A small bomb you throw by hand

17 3.0

A used piece of clothing or item given from one person to another

Quick, skilled hand movements used to perform magic tricks or fool people

hand wringing
  • Informal
13 7.7

A way of showing too much worry by repeatedly twisting or clasping the hands

10 4.4

A person who works on a ranch caring for cattle or horses

9 2.9

A small human hand that often belongs to a child

7 3.8

A calm, careful way of guiding movement or people in difficult situations

7 1.0

A small towel for drying your hands or face

7 3.6

A person paid to do manual work on a farm or ranch

6 2.8

Made to be used with the right hand

6 2.6

The hand on a clock that shows seconds

5 3.6

Giving close support and guidance to help someone do something new or difficult

5 3.3

Information received through another person rather than directly

The thing people are talking about now

5 4.0

A person who does hard physical work on a farm

5 4.1

The freedom to act or decide without being told what to do

5 1.0

A cream that makes the skin of your hands soft and protects it

5 1.8

A thing you hold and use with your hands, not powered by a machine, like a hammer or screwdriver

4 2.5

A small puppet you wear on your hand and move with your fingers

4 1.4

A cream for your hands that makes the skin soft and not dry

3 2.2

The short pointer on a clock that shows the hour

3 2.9

A small cart with two wheels and handles for moving heavy things

3 3.4

Money you can use immediately

3 2.1

A small mirror with a handle that you hold to see your face

3 6.4

Very strict control over people that allows no disagreement

3 1.8

Small bags you carry onto a plane or train instead of checking them

A shop that sells used things at low prices

2 1.0

The longer hand on a clock that points to the minutes

2 3.0

A simple device you move by hand to lift water or push air

A small portable computer you hold in one hand

2 6.8

A short time when someone keeps having success, often in games or sports

cold hand
  • Literature
1 8.2

An unfriendly touch or a feeling that danger is near

1 1.6

A long hand on a clock or watch that shows the minutes

1 2.0

A control you pull to keep a parked car from moving

1 2.8

A small tool you hold to mix and beat food such as batter and cream

hand waving
  • Informal
1 8.6

Making unclear gestures or saying unclear things to avoid a clear answer

1 3.8

Glass that a person shapes by blowing air through a tube, not by a machine

1 1.9

Holding another person's hand to show love or give comfort

1 1.8

The shorter hand on a clock or watch that shows the hour

1 7.4

Information told by someone who heard it from someone else

Striking the palms of your hands together repeatedly to show approval or admiration

1 4.6

A form of football where another player stops someone by touching them with both hands

1 7.7

A situation where one person or group has more control than others

eldest hand
  • Archaic
1 9.2

The player sitting immediately to the dealer's left who plays first

hand ax
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A small stone tool with a sharp edge used for cutting and chopping

1 3.0

A small tool you turn by hand to make holes in wood or other materials

1 2.1

A saw used with one hand to cut wood

1 3.0

A set of five cards a player receives to try to win against others

1 9.5

A secret criminal group that extorted people and used violence in Italian American neighborhoods

bridge hand
  • Jargon
1 4.9

Cards a player is dealt in the game of bridge

1 4.2

Small electric tool that sends warm air to dry hair

hand line
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A fishing line that you hold and use without a rod or reel

1 3.5

A portable device you move by hand to take a picture of a document or barcode

1 4.3

Giving too much help so someone cannot act or decide alone

1 4.8

A thing you can hold for support, or simple help for someone new

1 4.0

Describing clothing or objects that have been used and are given to someone else

1 4.9

Moving the hands to get attention or make a point

1 2.5

Lifting a hand to show you want to speak or answer

How Many

workforce
249 2.4
hands
1.6
crew
1.3
team
1.0
hand
4.9

Surface Forms

hand singular
hands plural

Etymology

Hand meaning a worker comes from the idea of someone who works with their hand; sailors and farm workers who do physical jobs were called 'hands' because they use their hands to work.