ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deal a hand

idiom
Meaning

To assign circumstances in life to someone.


Origin

disputed origin

From the sense of a hand in card games, as the outcome of a game depends on the hands that are dealt.

Examples
SIMPLE

Life dealt him a bad hand, but he stays positive.

CONTEXTUAL

She worked hard to succeed despite the difficult hand that life dealt her at birth.

COMPLEX

Though fate had dealt him a challenging hand, he navigated his circumstances with remarkable grace and resilience throughout his long career.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    a great deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  3. 03

    back of one's hand

    A display of disrespect or scorn.

  4. 04

    bear a hand

    To make haste; to help quickly.

  5. 05

    big deal

    Something very important or difficult; a matter of great concern; a considerable feat or achievement.

  6. 06

    big hand

    Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).

  7. 07

    bite someone's hand off

    To enthusiastically accept an offer.

  8. 08

    bite the hand that feeds one

    To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).

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