take the law into one's own hands
To protect one's supposed rights or punish a suspected wrongdoer without reference to a court. An overused expression.
When the men of the settlement caught the suspected murderer, they took the law into their own hands and hanged him to a tree.
His farm was going to be sold for taxes, but he took the law into his own hands and drove the sheriff away with a shotgun.
throw up one's hands in horror
To be horrified; feel alarmed; give up hope of straightening things out; be shocked by something terrible.
When Mrs. Brown saw the mess the children were making in her living room, she threw up her hands in horror.
Everybody threw up their hands in horror at the destruction caused by the hurricane.
throw up one's hands
To give up trying; admit that you cannot succeed.
Mrs. Jones threw up her hands when the children messed up the living room for the third time.
When Mary saw the number of dishes to be washed, she threw up her hands in dismay.
tie one's hands
tied one's hands
have one's hands tied
To make (a person) unable to do anything. Usually used in the passive.
Since Mary would not tell her mother what was bothering her, her mother's hands were tied.
Charles wanted to help John get elected president of the class, but his promise to another boy tied his hands.
Father hoped Jim would not quit school, but his hands were tied; Jim was old enough to quit if he wanted to.
try one's hand
To make an inexperienced attempt (at something unfamiliar.)
I thought I would try my hand at bowling, although I had never bowled before.
turn a hand
To do anything to help. Usually used in the negative.
When we were all hurrying to get the house ready for company, Mary sat reading and wouldn't turn a hand.
upper hand
whip hand
get the upper hand on
Controlling power; advantage.
In the third round the champion got the upper hand over his opponent and knocked him out.
The cowboy trained the wild horse so that he finally got the whip hand and tamed the horse.
wait on hand and foot
wait on one's hand and foot
To serve in every possible way; do everything for (someone).
Делать всё возможное (для кого-либо);, служить верой и правдой.
Sally is spoiled because her mother waits on her hand and foot.
The gentlemen had a valet to wait on him hand and foot.
Moira is a spoiled child because her parents wait on her hand and foot.
Мойра испорченный ребенок, потому что ее родители делают все возможное для нее.