idioms using “hand”

Lend a hand

To help someone

“Can you lend me a hand with this typing, Sakamoto-san?”

An old hand

A very experienced person

“I’d ask Moriya-san for advice. She’s an old hand at brochure design.”

Out of hand

Out of control

“Giving an employee a salary advance isn’t a problem as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.”

Show one’s hand

To reveal one’s position

“It would be a mistake to show our hand by announcing our newly discounted prices at the trade show.” Note: this phrase is from card playing; showing one’s hand is revealing one’s cards to another player.

Change hands

To change ownership

“That condominium has changed hands three times since it was built.”