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Glite Dictionary
to keep one's hands off

to keep one's hands off

42 3.6
Not to touch or interfere with something that belongs to someone else
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : no tocar
  • Keep your hands off my old lady!
  • tell them to keep their hands off
  • just keep your hands off
  • keep your hands off things

Examples

Synonyms

to avoid
vsto keep one's hands off
∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

is specifically about not touching or interfering rather than general prevention
to leave alone
vsto keep one's hands off
∞ 2.3

To avoid touching and disturbing a person, animal or object

focuses on not touching or interfering while also avoiding involvement
to stay away
vsto keep one's hands off
590 1.6

Keep a distance from people or things you want to avoid

focuses on avoiding touching or interference rather than physical spacing
to stay away from
vsto keep one's hands off
384 2.3

Avoid going near people or places for safety

is about not touching or interfering, not only safety motivated absence
to back off
vsto keep one's hands off
  • Informal
356 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

is broader, covering not touching or interfering rather than just stepping back
to keep away
vsto keep one's hands off
187 1.6

Stop someone or something from coming near

covers prevention but emphasizes personal noninterference and avoidance
to stand back
vsto keep one's hands off
159 1.6

Move away and keep a safe distance from something or someone for safety

focuses on noninterference and avoidance of touching rather than safety positioning
to keep off
vsto keep one's hands off
127 2.4

To stay away from a place, person, or thing

stresses not touching or interfering, not merely avoiding proximity
to stay out of it
vsto keep one's hands off
56 3.8

To avoid getting involved in an argument or fight

includes not touching or interfering with people or things not only avoiding disputes
to keep one's distance
vsto keep one's hands off
32 3.9

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

is more about not touching or interfering than only physical separation
to keep at arm's length
vsto keep one's hands off
10 6.3

To avoid getting too close to someone or something, often emotionally

is about refusing interference or touching, not only cautious emotional distance
to let it alone
vsto keep one's hands off
2 3.0

Choose not to touch or change something

is about avoiding involvement and not touching rather than simply not changing things
to get out of someone's hair
vsto keep one's hands off
  • Informal
1 6.3

To stop bothering someone so they can work or think

is broader, about avoiding touching or interference, not only ending annoyance
to not touch with a barge pole
vsto keep one's hands off
  • UK
9.9

Refuse to be involved with people or things that seem dangerous and dishonest

expresses a stronger rejection based on dislike rather than simple noninterference

Antonyms

to touch
∞ 1.0

To put your hand or body on something to feel it

to interfere
487 3.5

To get involved in a situation and make things not work as they should

How Involved

to interfere
487 3.5
to get in the swim
  • Informal
8.4
to keep one's hands off
42 3.6
to leave alone
∞ 2.3
to mind one's own business
  • Informal
51 3.7

Surface Forms

keep one's hands off infinitive
keeping one's hands off present participle
keeps one's hands off third person singular
kept one's hands off past
kept one's hands off past participle

Morphology

keep + one + hand + off

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'keep' (prevent), 'one's hands' (someone's hands/possession) and 'off' (away), yielding the instruction not to touch or interfere. This compositional verb + possessive noun + particle pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the words should understand the MWE.

Etymology

Keep one's hands off comes from a clear image of someone holding their empty hands off an object to show they will not touch it. That's why the phrase means 'to not touch or interfere' with someone or something.