# wave of the hand

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/wave-of-the-hand
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A simple gesture, as used for greeting, command, dismissal, or summoning something as if by magic.

## Examples

- He said goodbye with a quick wave of the hand.
- The king dismissed his advisors with a casual wave of the hand, signaling that the meeting was over.
- She seemed to believe that all her complex financial problems would vanish with a simple wave of the hand, as if by magic.

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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.