offhand
Informal; casual; careless.
Dick found Bob's offhand manner inappropriate for business.
In an improvised fashion.
Offhand, I would guess that at least five thousand people attended the festival.
old hand
An experienced and highly skilled expert at some particular job.
Uncle Joe is an old hand at repairing car engines.
on hand
Nearby; within reach. Here.
Always have your dictionary on hand when you study.
Soon school will end and vacation will be on hand.
Present.
Mr. Blake's secretary is always on hand when he appears in public.
The concert organizers arranged to have some security guards on hand in case there were any problems during the performance.
In your possession; ready.
The Girl Scouts have plenty of cookies on hand.
Tim had no cash on hand to pay for the gas.
I always keep some extra money on hand in case I forget to get cash from the bank.
on one hand
Looking at a thing in one of two possible ways; from one point of view. Usually used with on the other hand.
John wants to be a printer or a teacher; on one hand, printing pays better; on the other hand, schools need good teachers.
on one's hands
In your care or responsibility; that you must do something about.
Mrs. Blake left her five children with me while she shopped. I could not get anything done with the children on my hands.
After everyone bought tickets to the dance, the club treasurer had over $100 on his hands.
The electricity went off while Mother was cooking supper, and she had a problem on her hands.
I had time on my hands before the bus came, so I bought a newspaper to read.
on the other hand
Looking at the other side; from another point of view; however, in contrast.
Used to introduce an opposite or different fact or idea.
Used to introduce an opposite or different fact or idea.
Jim wanted to go to the movies; his wife, on the other hand, wanted to stay home and read.
Mr. Harris may still want a boy to mow his lawn; on the other hand, he may have found someone to do it.
Democracies provide people many freedoms and privileges. On the other hand, democracies suffer many serious problems such as crime and unemployment.
My sister takes after my father in appearance. On the other hand, I take after my mother.
openhanded
Generous; liberal.
Although not wealthy himself, Bob was always very openhanded with those who needed help.
out of hand
Out of control.
Bobby's birthday party got out of hand and the children were naughty.
Small puppies often get out of hand.
Suddenly, quickly without examination of possible truth or merit; without any consideration. Often used after dismiss or reject.
The senator rejected out of hand the critics' call for his resignation.