There are hundreds of expressions using the word“hand”in English.Let’s have a look at the following expressions.
We will get a hand in this way.To get a hand in is to begin a job,to begin to know something about it.When we learn the job completely,it will be easy for us.We will be able to do it hands down.If we do the job well,we may end up with the upper hand.And that means to be in control,or to have gained com－plete understanding of a situation.On the other hand,if the situation gets out of hand,then it is out of control.
You can also lend a hand to someone,which means you offer thema helping hand.If someone is kind enough to lend us a hand,then we surely do not want to bite the hand that feeds us.We do not want to repay his kindness by treating himbadly.
Now,with that out of the way,we have a free hand to continue examining other hand expressions.To have a free hand in a situation is good.It means you are free to act without getting permission fromsomeone else.
Maybe you can find a friend who wants to take a hand in our project.It would have to be someone who is interested in these expressions.Your friend may want to work hand in glove with us.That is good,because that means he wants to work as closely with us as a glove covers the hand.Of course there is a danger that he may look at our project and decide to take it in hand.That means he wants to take it over.
If that happens,we may throw up our hands because the situation seems hopeless.In fact,we may decide that it is time for us to end this project, to wash our hands of hand expressions.
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