shake hands
To exchange greetings by clasping hands.
When people meet for the first time, they usually shake hands.
The student warmly shook hands with his old professor.
shorthanded
Understaffed; short on workers.
With several employees gone for the holiday weekend and two dozen people in line, the rent-a-car agency suddenly found itself terribly shorthanded.
show of hands
An open vote during a meeting when those who vote yes and those who vote no hold up their hands to be counted.
The chairman said, "I'd like to see a show of hands if we're ready for the vote."
show one's hand
To reveal or exhibit one's true and hitherto hidden purpose.
Only after becoming Chancellor of Germany did Adolf Hitler really show his hand and reveal that he intended to take over other countries.
sit on one's hands
To do nothing; fail or refuse to do anything.
We asked Bill for help with our project, but he sat on his hands.
take a hand in
To assist in the direction of; participate.
Оказывать помощь в направлении; участвовать.
The University Faculty Club decided to take a hand in helping the recent refugees.
Клуб преподавателей университета решил принять участие в оказании помощи недавним беженцам.
After hearing about the community project, she decided to take a hand in organizing the fundraising event.
Узнав о общественном проекте, она решила принять участие в организации мероприятия по сбору средств.
Despite being busy with her own work, she chose to take a hand in mentoring the interns at her company.
Несмотря на занятость на собственной работе, она решила принять участие в наставничестве стажеров в своей компании.
take off one's hands
To abdicate one's responsibility of a person or matter.
"I am herewith taking my hand off your affairs," Lou's father said. "See how you succeed on your own."
To buy; relieve someone of something.
He offered to take my old car off my hands for $350.
take one's life in one's hands
To face great danger or take great risk.
Driving that car with those worn tires would be taking your life in your hands.
He took his life in his hands when he tried to capture the wild horse.