蜜芽传媒

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Learning English - The Flatmates

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Expressions with 'hand' 2

There are lots of English expressions, idioms and proverbs which refer to hands. For example, Khalid says "I really like working with my hands" which means he likes making or repairing things. Helen's dad says "I could really use another pair of hands" which means he would like someone (Khalid) to help him.

Here's a selection of some common expressions ones about being experienced, things that are old, and having or not having money.

to be a dab hand at something
to be very good at doing something
She's a dab hand at cooking. She can whip up a meal without even looking at a recipe.

to be an old hand
to be very experienced at doing something
You should ask your mother for help. She's an old hand when it comes to making clothes.

to try your hand at something
to attempt doing something for the first time
I might try my hand at painting this weekend.

to turn your hand to something
to be able to do something well although not having any experience of it before
Bill's great at decorating - he could turn his hand to anything.

to know something like the back of your hand
to know something very well
He's been driving that route for years now. He knows it like the back of his hand.

second hand (adj)
not new. Used or owned by someone before
I don't mind buying second hand books but I could never wear somebody's old clothes.

hand-me-down (adj) hand-me-downs (noun)
clothing that's not new. It's been used or owned by someone (usually family or close friends) before
I had five older sisters and we were quite poor so my mum often made me wear hand-me-downs.

to cross someone's hand/palm with silver (humorous)
to give someone money (usually so that they will tell you what will happen to you in the future)
They say she has special powers and if you cross her hand with silver she'll tell you if you'll get married or not when you're older.

to live from hand to mouth
to have just enough money to live on, with nothing extra
When I was a student I didn't have much money so I lived from hand to mouth till I graduated.

to put your hand in your pocket
to give money to someone or to charity (organizations that collect money to give to poor people, ill people, etc.)
Don't be mean! Put your hand in your pocket and give me some money for the boss's birthday present.

to go cap in hand to someone
to ask someone in a polite and sincere way for something (usually money or forgiveness)
The artist went cap in hand to all the galleries begging them to display her work.

practical
be able to make repairs or to do things with your hands in a skilful way

suits us
convenient for us

tenants
people who live in rented accommodation. For example, The Flatmates are tenants of Helen's dad (who's the landlord)