on the other hand
- idiom
- She was well-prepared for the exam; on the other hand, her friend didn't study at all.
- On the other hand,
- On the other hand,
- On the other hand,
Wayne Rooney on the other hand has got levels.
- Wayne Rooney on the other hand has got levels.
- This, on the other hand, is my MacBook Pro.
- The afternoon on the other hand, was such a blur.
- But my fiance on the other hand, completely panicked.
- Gregor McGregor, on the other hand, got off Scott free.
- The math, on the other hand, is ugly.
- Cutting costs, on the other hand, has instant impact.
- My sister's life, on the other hand, didn't go so well.
- My fiance on the other hand, is the exact opposite.
- So transition on the other hand, is psychological and spiritual.
Examples
-
Natural disasters, on the other hand, have been more of a threat to southern farmers.
Academic text (1990) -
In Europe, on the other hand, it was the subject of a fierce debate.
Academic text (1999) -
And this one, on the other hand, is green.
-
Purpose, on the other hand, is something you do.
-
These guys, on the other hand, are not doing so good.
-
Sleep, on the other hand, is very different.
-
The Dead Sea, on the other hand, has no exit.
-
The Italians, on the other hand, were much more cautious.
-
Ecuadorean exports to European countries, on the other hand, have been generally stable or increasing.
Academic text (1990) -
Jennifer, on the other hand, would steamroll over them with her energy and conviction.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
Introducing a statement that contrasts with what came before
Shows a contrast with what was said before
Shows that something is true despite what was said before
Instead of that, say or do something different
In spite of that
To show that two things are different
Shows a contrast with what was just said
Shows that something happens or is true despite what was said
To say something is true despite what was just said
To show an opposite idea in a discussion
To say the opposite to correct a wrong idea
In a way that shows the opposite is true
To show a different idea or possibility
To introduce a statement that shows the opposite of what was just said
In a way that is the opposite of what was expected
A word showing disagreement with something, often in formal writing
In a way that shows a clear difference between two things
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines 'on' + 'the' + 'other' + 'hand' where 'hand' is used metaphorically for a side or viewpoint and 'other' signals an alternative; together they straightforwardly indicate a contrasting perspective. This spatial/side-of-an-argument metaphor is common across languages and follows normal compositional patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The idiom on the other hand comes from a simple image: someone shows one idea with one hand, then points to the other hand to show a different side. So, it is used to introduce a 'different' or 'contrasting' point.