to give a big hand
1
3.7
- phrasal verb
- Let's give a big hand to the volunteers who helped organize this event.
- Let's give a big hand
Examples
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At the end of the performance, everyone stood up to give a big hand to the cast.
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The audience was eager to give a big hand to the talented musicians after their final song.
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Let's give a big hand for their fighting spirit.
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Now, let's give a big hand to the little lady who put it all together.
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Let's give a big hand to Harmony Jones.
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Let's give a big hand to Stanley Wilson.
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Ladies and gentlemen... ...perhaps you'd like to give a big hand... ...to Gina and Mike!
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Let's give a big hand to Pointy and Grindy.
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All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big hand to miss Jacki Paar!
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#Let's all give a big hand to brett taylor For being chosen as this year's closing ceremony ambassador.
Synonyms
867
1.3
Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it
319
1.0
To do something for someone who cannot do it alone
313
2.8
To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure
242
1.8
To help someone with something or to clap to show appreciation
45
1.3
To help someone with a task
31
2.7
To give help to someone during a difficult time
6
2.7
To give someone support with a task or problem
5
2.9
To offer help or friendship by reaching out your hand to someone
Antonyms
How Helpful
Surface Forms
Morphology
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'.