two left hands
Lack of dexterity in either hand; being ambilevous.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I cannot fix the shelf because I have two left hands.”
“He tried to fix the broken sink, but his two left hands only made the leak worse.”
“Despite his best intentions to assemble the furniture, his two left hands ensured that the final result was both unstable and crooked.”
Calque of French avoir deux mains gauches.
- 01
be left at the post
To be beaten from the beginning of a competition or race.
- 02
be left holding the baby
To be left with the responsibility of resolving a problem.
- 03
beast with two backs
Two people united in sexual intercourse in the missionary position.
- 04
catch hands
To take a punch; to get hit, especially with the hand or fist.
- 05
change hands
To become the property of someone else; to be bought or sold.
- 06
clap one's hands red
To clap or applaud intensely.
- 07
clean hands
Freedom from guilt, especially from the guilt of dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe-taking.
- 08
dishpan hands
Hands which are rough, reddish, and dry, as from irritation and chafing caused by immersion in hot water mixed with detergent.
Last updated August 10, 2026