two left hands: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘two left hands’ mean?
The idiom "two left hands" means being clumsy or lacking skill in performing tasks requiring manual dexterity.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "with both hands" means to enthusiastically embrace or eagerly accept something. It suggests wholehearted participation or involvement in a particular activity or opportunity.
The idiom "up against it" means to be facing a difficult or challenging situation where there are few options or resources available. It signifies being in a tight spot with little or no room for maneuvering.
The idiom "unused to" is used to describe a situation where someone is not accustomed to or familiar with something. It implies a lack of experience or familiarity in a particular context or activity.
The idiom "two thumbs up" means to give a positive or favorable review or approval of something. It is often used to indicate strong support or enthusiasm for a person, idea, or product.
The idiom "two steps ahead" means being well-prepared and anticipating future events or actions.
The idiom "two pennies' worth" means expressing one's opinion or input, often in a forceful or assertive manner, usually without being asked for it.
The idiom "two left feet" refers to a person who is clumsy or awkward, especially when it comes to dancing or physical coordination.
The idiom "two lamps burning and no ship at sea" means to be prepared for something that does not happen or to have unnecessary or excessive preparations for a situation that never occurs.
The idiom "two-hit wonder" refers to a musician or band who has achieved great success with two popular songs but has not been able to replicate that success with other songs or albums. It implies that their fame and popularity is limited to those two hits.
The idiom "two ha'pennies for a penny" means getting a poor or unfair trade. It implies receiving less value for what is given or having a disadvantageous exchange.
Curious Hand Deficiency
The idiom "two left feet" is closely related to the expression "two left hands." Both idioms are used to describe someone who is clumsy or lacks coordination. While "two left hands" specifically refers to a person's manual dexterity, "two left feet" refers to their ability to dance or move rhythmically. While the etymology of "two left feet" is not well-documented, it is likely that the idiom originated from the association between the left side of the body and clumsiness.
Like "two left hands," the idiom "all thumbs" also conveys a lack of coordination or manual dexterity. Someone who is described as "all thumbs" is seen as clumsy or awkward in their movements, particularly with their hands. The phrase may have originated from the idea that the thumbs are the most important fingers when it comes to fine motor skills, so someone who is clumsy with their thumbs would likely be clumsy overall.
Another related idiom is "gouty-handed," which refers to someone who has arthritis or another condition that affects their hands and fingers, causing pain and stiffness. While "gouty-handed" is not as commonly used as "two left hands" or "all thumbs," it serves as a vivid way to describe someone whose hands are affected by a medical condition, making them less dexterous or coordinated.
The idiom "extra pair of hands" is used to describe someone who is helpful or capable of assisting with a task or project. While this phrase does not directly relate to clumsiness or lack of dexterity, it does highlight the value of having additional assistance and support. Someone who is described as an "extra pair of hands" is seen as reliable and capable of lending a hand when needed.
Lastly, the idiom "have one's hands full" is used to describe a situation in which someone is very busy or overwhelmed with tasks and responsibilities. This idiom conveys the idea that someone has so many things to do that they cannot take on any additional tasks or responsibilities. While not directly related to clumsiness or lack of dexterity, the phrase emphasizes the idea that someone's hands are already occupied and they are unable to take on anything else.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "two left hands" can be used in a sentence:
- He can't sew a button on a shirt to save his life, he has two left hands.
- She tried to help with the cooking, but ended up burning everything - she definitely has two left hands in the kitchen.
- He wanted to fix the leaky faucet, but his lack of handyman skills proved he had two left hands when it came to plumbing.
More "Mistakes" idioms
