# two left hands

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/two-left-hands
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Lack of dexterity in either hand; being ambilevous.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

Calque of French avoir deux mains gauches.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.