bear a hand: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘bear a hand’ mean?
The idiom "bear a hand" means to help or assist someone. It is used to ask someone to lend their assistance or to offer one's own help willingly.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take someone's arm" means to hold someone's arm, often to guide or support them physically or emotionally.
The idiom "lend a hand" means to offer assistance or help someone with a task or problem.
The idiom "bring to the table" means to contribute skills, knowledge, or resources to a situation or discussion. It implies bringing something valuable and relevant to the conversation or situation at hand.
The idiom "bring to bear" means to apply or use something effectively or forcefully in order to achieve a desired result.
"Bite the hand that feeds one" means to harm or betray someone who supports or helps you.
The idiom "bend to one's will" means to make someone do what you want or to surrender to your control or influence.
The idiom "bend someone's will" means to successfully persuade or influence someone to do what you want, often through force or manipulation.
The idiom "bend over backwards" means to make a great effort or sacrifice to help someone or achieve something, even if it is difficult or inconvenient.
The idiom "be my guest" means to give permission or allow someone to do something. It is often used in a sarcastic or ironic way to show that one is willing to let someone do as they please.
Hidden Helper
The idiom "bear a hand" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. Native speakers are familiar with it and use it frequently. The phrase is figurative and refers to offering assistance or lending a hand to someone. The word "bear" is used here in the sense of "to carry or support." It signifies the act of "offering" or "providing" help or assistance to someone.
The exact origin of the expression is uncertain, but it can be traced back to the Old English period. The idiom likely emerged from the literal action of "bearing a hand" or "lending a helping hand" to someone in need. Over time, it has become a commonly used phrase in various contexts, including informal conversations, professional settings, and written communication.
The idiom "bear a hand" is versatile and can be used in both physical and metaphorical senses. When someone says "bear a hand," they are asking for assistance or requesting someone to lend them a hand in accomplishing a task or solving a problem. It is a polite and friendly way to ask for help or offer assistance.
Other idioms related to "bear a hand" include "lend a hand," "take someone's arm," "bear oneself," "bear with," and "at someone's disposal." These idioms are connected in different ways to the concept of offering assistance or help to someone.
The idiom "lend a hand" is similar to "bear a hand" in that it also implies offering assistance or help. However, "lend a hand" specifically suggests temporarily giving support or aid to someone. It emphasizes the act of giving help rather than the act of offering it.
"Take someone's arm" is an idiom used when providing physical support or assistance to someone who may be in need. It implies guiding or assisting someone by holding their arm, providing stability or comfort.
"Bear oneself" is another related idiom that means to conduct oneself in a certain manner or behave in a particular way. While it is not directly connected to the act of offering assistance, it shares the word "bear" and can be interpreted metaphorically as carrying oneself in a helpful or supportive manner.
"Bear with" is an idiom that means to be patient or tolerant in dealing with someone or something. Although it does not explicitly refer to offering assistance, it can be related to the concept of being understanding and accommodating when someone asks for help.
The idiom "at someone's disposal" signifies that someone is willing and available to offer assistance or help. It suggests that the person's time, skills, or resources are ready to be used by someone in need. It is similar to "bear a hand" in that it conveys an attitude of helpfulness and availability.
The idiom "bear a hand" is a widely used expression in the English language. Its meaning is clear and straightforward, and it signifies the act of offering help or assistance to someone. The idiom is versatile and can be used in both physical and metaphorical senses. Other related idioms such as "lend a hand," "take someone's arm," "bear oneself," "bear with," and "at someone's disposal" all share a connection to the concept of offering assistance or help. These idioms enhance the richness and flexibility of the English language, allowing speakers to convey their willingness to help others in various ways.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "bear a hand" can be used in a sentence:
- Could you bear a hand and help me carry these boxes?
- The team was understaffed, so everyone had to bear a hand to get the project completed on time.
- When the car broke down on the side of the road, a kind stranger stopped to bear a hand and offer assistance.
More "Assistance" idioms
