give someone a hand

verb

To help, aid, or assist.

“Could you please give me a hand carrying this mattress?”

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Meanings

verbgive someone a hand (third-person singular simple present gives someone a hand, present participle giving someone a hand, simple past gave someone a hand, past participle given someone a hand)

present singular third person gives someone a hand · participle present giving someone a hand · past gave someone a hand · participle past given someone a hand · alternative lend someone a hand

  1. idiomaticTo help, aid, or assist.

    Could you please give me a hand carrying this mattress?

  2. idiomaticTo applaud or clap (also to give (someone) a big hand).

    Please give all our dedicated volunteers a hand for their hard work.

    1 more example

    Gitarzan! He's a guitar man! He's all you can't stand Give him a hand Gitarzan!

    1969, “Gitarzan”, Ray Stevens, Bill Everette (lyrics), performed by Ray Stevens

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
helpsuccourthrow someone a rope

Translations

German jemandem zur Hand gehen
  • jemandem zur Hand gehento help, aid, or assist
Polish podawać pomocną dłoń, podać pomocną dłoń
  • podawać pomocną dłońto help, aid, or assist
  • podać pomocną dłońto help, aid, or assist
Spanish echar una mano
  • echar una manoto help, aid, or assist
Turkish yardım eli uzatmak, yardım elini uzatmak
  • yardım eli uzatmakto help, aid, or assist
  • yardım elini uzatmakto help, aid, or assist
Cite this entry
APA

give someone a hand. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20a%20hand

MLA

“give someone a hand.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20a%20hand. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give someone a hand,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20a%20hand.

Source: give someone a hand on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.