Idioms are often confusing, even for native speakers. Many idioms refer to body parts, such as crying your heart out or having your nose in the air. “Good hand” can mean a good worker or being lucky in life, like having a good hand in poker.
Many native English speakers don’t realize this, but the language is brimming with idioms that aren’t always clear to those who didn’t grow up with them. Even native speakers will come across idioms that make them think, “What,” because they contain references to a historical period or object that is no longer known. An example refers to someone as a “good hand,” which doesn’t mean that this person is good at applauding others or expecting freebies, but that he is a good worker.
There are literally thousands of idioms in all languages that refer to parts of the human body. For example, English speakers cry when someone leaves them heartbroken, but spring back into action when they encounter someone else who leaves them speechless or with butterflies in their stomachs. An arrogant soul has its nose in the air and a judgmental soul looks down on others. When the boss assigns a job that no one wants to do, he drags their feet until he forces them to toe the line.
It goes without saying that hands are big in the idioms of most languages. After all, they are one of the most used parts of the body. Hands cuddle children, drag groceries and point accusing fingers at offenders. They’re used in everything from fisticuffs to grabbing criminals.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, the peasants had laborers. More often than not, the hands, as they were popularly called, were given huts or even farms to live in, with other hands or with their families, depending on how well off the farmer was and how badly this particular hand was needed. Such a person might have special skills or might work very hard indeed.
To complicate matters, a good hand is not only something an individual can be, but is sometimes used as something an individual has. Someone who has been dealt a good hand has had luck on his side. This idiom refers to a hand of poker or other card game which, by extension, becomes a metaphor for life. Someone who has been blessed with a good hand might have been born into a wealthy family, been very well educated or well connected, or fallen into a good situation at the right time. Such a person is unlikely to wear second-hand clothes, and he does not need to beg!
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