Idioms using the word "手 (hand)"

慣用句（idiom） are expressions that combine two or more words to create a different meaning.

The meaning is completely different from the original words, so it is useful to know idioms.

Idioms often use words related to the body, such as “hand (te)” and “foot (ashi).” This month, let's learn some useful idioms that use the word “hand.”

手がTe ga 離せないhanasenai (I can't let go of my hands.) - I'm tied up right now

The meaning of te ga hanase nai is "I am busy with something else and cannot do anything else."

Let's Try It Out!
～When saying no to a request to lend a hand.～
A：Sumimasen, Chotto tetsudatte kudasai (Excuse me, could you help me for a moment?).
B：Gomennasai (I'm sorry). Ima, Te ga hanase masen (I'm busy right now). Sukoshi matte kudasai (Please wait a moment).

手をTe wo 貸すkasu - give someone a hand

The meaning of te wo kasu is to offer help. It can be used not only for helping with your hands, but also for moving your body or thinking together, for someone else.

Let's Try It Out!
～When you are carrying heavy luggage or are having a hard time with difficult work.～
You: Sumimasen, chotto te wo kashite kudasai (Excuse me, could you help me?).

手をTe wo 抜くnuku (slack off) - omitting the hands

The meaning of te wo nuku is that you are not doing what is necessary at work or not trying your best until the end.

Let's Try It Out!
～A mother tells her child to clean their room.～
Mother: Hon dake janakute, Fuku mo kataduketene (When cleaning your room, don't just tidy up your books, tidy up your clothes too). Sōjiki mo kakete (Vacuum too)! Te wo nukanaidene(Don’t slack off!)!
Child: hai (OK, mom).

手のひらTenohiraをwo 返すkaesu (flip a switch) - turn your palm over

The meaning of teno hira wo kaesu is to suddenly change what one has been saying or doing, or to say the opposite of what one has been saying or doing.

Let's Try It Out!
～When someone (A) who had been kind to you until yesterday suddenly changed their attitude.～
You: Kyō wa A san watashini tsumetakattana (A san was cold to me today). Teno hira wo kaesu yō ni kawatchatta (He changed as if he had flipped a switch). Watashi, A san ni nanika waruikoto shitakana (Did I do something wrong to him?).

猫Nekoのno手teもmo 借りたいkaritai (desperately in need of help) - to want to borrow even a cat's paw

The meaning of neko no temo karitai is that I am very busy and would like anyone, even a cat (neko), to help me.

Let's Try It Out!
～You are very busy.～
A：Kyō wa itsumo yori isogashiidesune (Today is busier than usual, isn’t it?)
B：Hontōni. Neko no t emo karitai kuraidane (Yeah, we almost even want to borrow a cat’s paw to help us out).

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