To stand one’s hand, verb. phr. (Australian).—To Treat (q.v.); to Stand Sam (q.v.).
1892. Hume Nisbet, Bushranger’s Sweetheart, p. 58. I used to see her at some of the public-houses frequented by Mrs. Condon, standing her hand liberally to all who happened to be in the bar, and therefore being made much of by the thirsty loafers whom she treated.
To hand in one’s chips (or checks).—See Cash one’s Checks.
To have (or get) the upper hand, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To have at an advantage; to get to windward (q.v.).
1886. R. L. Stevenson, Kidnapped, p. 173. I was growing impatient to get back and have the upper hand of my uncle.
To hand up, verb. (Winchester College).—To give information against; to betray.—Notions.
Hands up! intj. (common).—An injunction to desist; stow it! (q.v.). Also (police) = a command to surrender. Bail up (q.v.).
1888. J. Runciman, The Chequers, p. 120. Hands up! Jerry. [[257]]
[Amongst other colloquial usages of Hand are the following:—At hand = readily, hard by; at any hand (Shakspeare) = on any account; at no hand = on no account; for one’s own hand = for one’s own purpose or interest; from hand to hand = from one to another; in hand = in a state of preparation, under consideration, or control; off one’s hands = finished; on hand = in possession; in one’s hands = in one’s care; out of hand = completed, without hesitation; to one’s hand = ready; hand over head = negligently, rashly; hand to mouth = improvident; hands off! = stand off; heavy on hand = hard to manage; hot at hand = difficult to manage; light in hand = easy to manage; to ask (or give) the hand of = to ask (or give) in marriage; to be hand and glove with = to be very intimate with; to bear a hand = to help; to bear in (or on) hand = to cheat or mock by false promises; to change hands = to change owners; to come to hand = to be received; to get hand = to gain influence; to give a hand = to applaud; to give the hand to = to be reconciled to; to have a hand in = to have a share in; to have one’s hands full = to be fully occupied; to hold hands with = to vie with, to hold one’s own; to lay hands on = to assault, to seize; to lend a hand = to help; to make a hand = to gain an advantage; to put (or stretch) forth the hand against = to use violence; to set the hand to = to undertake; to strike hands = to make a bargain; to take by the hand = to take under one’s guidance; to take in hand = to attempt; to wash one’s hands of = to disclaim responsibility; a heavy hand = severity; a light hand = gentleness; a slack hand = idleness, carelessness; a strict hand = severe discipline; clean hands = freedom from guilt; to stand one in hand = to concern, to be of importance to; hand to fist = tête-a-tête, hip to haunch; hand over hand = easily; to get a hand = to be applauded.]
Hand-and-Pocket Shop, subs. phr. (old).—See quot.