English Reference
Idiom idiom

give someone a hand


To help, aid, or assist.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“Can you give me a hand with these bags?”

CONTEXTUAL

“The kitchen was busy, so I asked the new waiter to give me a hand.”

COMPLEX

“Seeing the elderly woman struggling with her groceries, the young student crossed the street to give her a hand.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    back of one's hand

    A display of disrespect or scorn.

  3. 03

    bear a hand

    To make haste; to help quickly.

  4. 04

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  5. 05

    big hand

    Synonym of minute hand (on a clock face).

  6. 06

    bite someone's hand off

    To enthusiastically accept an offer.

  7. 07

    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).

  8. 08

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

Last updated August 10, 2026