ask for one's hand
To ask permission to marry someone.
"Sir," John said timidly to Mary's father, "I came to ask for your daughter's hand."
at hand
at close hand
near at hand
Easy to reach; nearby.
When he writes, he always keeps a dictionary at hand.
Coming soon; almost here.
Examinations are past and Commencement Day is at hand.
at the hands of someone
at the hands of something
дословно: В руках у кого-либо или чего-либо
Зависеть от кого-либо или чего-либо.
Зависеть от кого-либо или чего-либо.
We were at the hands of nature as we waited for the storm to end.
Мы были в руках у природы, пока ждали окончания грозы.
backhanded compliment
A remark that sounds like a compliment but is said sarcastically.
"Not had for a girl" the coach said, offering a backhanded compliment.
be a good hand at
To be talented, gifted, or skilled in some activity.
Florian is a good hand at both gardening and building.
be a poor hand at
To be inept, untalented, or clumsy in some activity.
Archibald is a poor hand at tennis so no one wants to play with him.
big hand
Loud and enthusiastic applause.
When Pavarotti finished singing the aria from Rigoletto, he got a very big hand.
bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Something we have, or can easily get, is more valuable than something we want that we may not be able to get; we shouldn't risk losing something sure by trying to get something that is not sure. A proverb.
Johnny has a job as a paperboy, but he wants a job in a gas station. His father says that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.