Idiom | Meaning | Example |
hands are tied |
be unable to act because others are in control, out of our hands
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I'm in favor of public health care but my hands are tied. I have to wait for a government decision.
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hands down |
easily, no contest
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The captain of the team said, "We won hands down - 6 to 1."
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hands on |
practice doing a task by working with your hands
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In shop class, we get hands-on experience in car maintenance.
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hands up |
put your hands above your head, reach for the sky
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"Hands up, everybody!" the thief shouted as he entered the bank.
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hang around |
stay near, be with, hang out
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Don't hang around with that gang. They steal cars.
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hang in there |
continue, persevere, be patient, keep on
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Hang in there until the doctor comes. He'll relieve your pain.
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hang loose |
be calm, relax, do not be uptight
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In Hawaii, they tell the tourists to hang loose - to relax.
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hang on |
wait, hold on
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Hang on a second. I have one more question to do.
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hang on every word |
listen carefully to every word that is said
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When Mr. Frye spoke, we would hang on every word. We listened.
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hang on like grim death |
be determined or resolute, not quit
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In the presidential election, Gore was hanging on like grim death.
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