put one's hands on

The phrase "put one's hands on" is versatile and can imply physical touch, acquisition, control, or interference, depending on the context.

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Definition

B1General

(common)To physically touch or grasp something.

Example

  • She finally put her hands on the book she had been looking for.
  • He put his hands on the table to steady himself.

B2General

(common)To obtain or acquire something, often with effort.

Example

  • I need to put my hands on that report before the meeting.
  • He managed to put his hands on some rare stamps.

C1Interpersonal

(informal)To physically assault or attack someone.

Example

  • He got angry and put his hands on his opponent.
  • She warned him not to put his hands on her again.

C1Interpersonal

(informal)To interfere with or meddle in someone's affairs.

Example

  • Don't let him put his hands on your project.
  • She hates it when people put their hands on her work.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "put one's hands on":

lay hands onget one's hands onget hold ofon someone's handslay a finger onlay a glove onlay hold ofget one's arms aroundhave a handle oncome to handput one's hands upput one's hand uprun handshave one's name ontouch onhand it tohold someone's handtake holdget to grips withget on tothrow handsget a gripwith one handin handsit on one's handsget onat handput one overhave onraise one's handget the drop onextend one's handcome to grips