# work with one's hands

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/work-with-ones-hands
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To engage in difficult manual labor, especially using analog tools.

## Examples

- He prefers to work with his hands in the garden.
- After years of working in an office, she decided to work with her hands as a professional carpenter.
- The artisan finds deep satisfaction in his ability to work with his hands, crafting intricate furniture that machines simply cannot replicate.

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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.