idioms involving “hand”

Force one's hand

To make someone do something before they are ready to do it

“The reporter didn't want to reveal her source for the newspaper article but the editor was able to force her hand.”

Note:To force an opponent's hand in a card game is to force the opponent to play a card before he or she wants to.

A free hand

Freedom to work without supervision

“The client trusts us completely now and has given us a free hand in creating the ad campaign.”

Get out of hand

To become uncontrollable

“Our neighbor was burning leaves but the fire got out of hand and burned several houses down.”

Hand in hand

To work closely together

“The auto maker is asking all of their suppliers to work hand in hand with them to reduce costs.”

Have someone eating out of your hand

To have someone do exactly as you wish him/her to do

“The lawyer was so smooth that he had the jury eating out of his hand.”

Note: To understand this idiom, imagine a person getting a wild animal to eat from his hand.