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Glite Dictionary
to join hands

to join hands

24 2.7
To work together with others for the same goal
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : unir esfuerzos
  • Jamie and Tim, please join hands and repeat after me.
  • join hands to danced

We can multiply the added value we bring to all of those areas through Japan and the US joining hands in tackling those challenges.

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Examples

  • A group of women joined hands and danced in a slow circle, singing hopeful songs about peace and nonviolence.

    Academic text (2001)

  • After winning the war, the two parties should have joined hands to work for the resurgence of China.

    Academic text (1999)

  • "Little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Like when we maybe when we join hands, something more magical can happen, you know?

    Theo Von

  • Let's all join hands for the blessing.

    Take Shelter (2011)

  • Plus, at the start of the meal she had made us all join hands and sing "Come Ye"

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Take courage, join hands, stand beside us, fight with us.

  • We are willing to open a new chapter with the Syrian people and join hands to build a new Middle East founded on freedom and democracy.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Then, everyone joined hands and sang, swaying in unison.

    Academic text (2000)

  • In order to make a difference in the community, let's all join hands and work together.

Synonyms

to unite
vsto join hands
∞ 2.1

To join people or things into one group for a shared purpose

focuses on forming a single group, while the key emphasizes active shared effort
to join
vsto join hands
∞ 1.0

Connect two things so they become attached

is about actively cooperating toward a goal rather than merely connecting or linking
to work together
vsto join hands
728 2.7

To do something with other people to reach the same goal

is the same concept but used as a common everyday expression
to cooperate
vsto join hands
543 3.3

To work together with other people to reach the same goal

matches this group effort but without specifying roles or structure
to coordinate
vsto join hands
325 4.1

To arrange people or activities so they work well together

emphasizes organization and timing, while the key stresses mutual cooperation
to come together
vsto join hands
274 2.7

Join with others to work for the same goal

is similar, but the key highlights ongoing cooperation rather than initial meeting
to team
vsto join hands
142 2.5

To join with others to work together for a purpose

emphasizes forming a group, while the key stresses active mutual effort
to collaborate
vsto join hands
96 4.6

To work with other people to reach a shared goal

is wider, applying to any cooperative effort beyond creative or intellectual work
to team up
vsto join hands
95 2.5

Join with other people or groups to work together on a goal

focuses on forming a group for a task rather than ongoing collaboration
to pitch in
vsto join hands
58 3.3

Join others to give work, help, or money for a shared task

describes offering help or resources, while the key stresses coordinating action
to join forces
vsto join hands
57 3.4

To work together with others to achieve a common goal

is the same idea but expressed as a simple idiomatic phrase
to pull together
vsto join hands
50 3.4

Gather people or things and organize them to reach a goal

adds an organizing, action-oriented approach, compared with the key's simple cooperation
to collaborate with
vsto join hands
42 4.2

To work together with other people, groups, or tools to do something

includes working with others but does not focus on tools or external partners
to band together
vsto join hands
34 3.1

Join with other people to work together for a common purpose

is like general cooperation but often stresses mutual support and solidarity
to stand together
vsto join hands
33 3.4

To join others to support the same cause

focuses on visible solidarity, while the key stresses actual cooperative work
to go in with
vsto join hands
22 3.5

Join someone to share a project or investment

often implies a specific shared venture, while the key focuses on general cooperation
to ally with
vsto join hands
12 4.0

To join with another person or group to work together for the same goal

suggests a formal, often political partnership, while the key covers everyday cooperation
to stand united
vsto join hands
5 3.8

To come together and support the same cause

is about working together, while the key covers cooperation in any setting
to hang together
vsto join hands
2 4.1

To stay united and help each other in hard times

emphasizes ongoing unity under stress, while the key focuses on active shared effort
to synergize
vsto join hands
2 6.7

To work together with others to get better results than alone

focuses on amplified outcome, while the key refers to regular cooperation
to league together
vsto join hands
1 4.6

To join with others to reach a common goal

is similar but often implies a more formal or long-term partnership

How Cooperative

to unite
∞ 2.1
to join hands
24 2.7
to cooperate
543 3.3

Surface Forms

join hands infinitive
joined hands past
joined hands past participle
joining hands present participle
joins hands third person singular

Morphology

join + hands

The meaning 'to work together' is a metaphorical extension of the literal image of people physically joining their hands, so a learner who knows 'join' and 'hands' can often infer cooperation. However, the abstract sense (cooperate toward a goal) requires mapping the physical action to a social/organizational meaning and is not fully predictable for all learners, so partial transparency is appropriate.

Etymology

The phrase join hands comes from the simple image of people literally joining their hands and standing together to support a task. That's why join hands now means 'to work together'.