between your palms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "between your palms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is physically held or metaphorically contained within the hands. Example: "She held the delicate flower gently between her palms, admiring its beauty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then gently roll it between your palms.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Roll these out a little, then press between your palms until they're all roughly 4cm across.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Flatten balls slightly between your palms, then set them in prepared muffin tins.

The New York Times - Food

Roll 3 tablespoons of the dough between your palms into a 2-inch ball.

The Washington Post

Stroke an apricot-sized ball of mousse between your palms, then rake through damp roots and lengths, avoiding ends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Use a 1-tablespoon measure to scoop 32 portions of dough; roll between your palms to form 32 balls.

The Washington Post

6 Combine the remaining crumble ingredients in a bowl and – using clean hands – rub the mix in between your palms until a rough crumb forms.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Dip the ball of dough in the nuts, roll until covered, then roll between your palms so the nuts sink in a little.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And with both hands moving in coordination, simultaneously backwards and forwards, you simply rotate the shaft of the swizzle stick between your palms as quickly as you can".

The New York Times

Can you twist your hands so you get to the position where the pencil is underneath, as in the second image, resting between your palms and your thumbs?

The Guardian

Pinch off nuggets of dough the size of a ping-pong ball (for regular cookies) or unshelled hazelnut (for mini ones), and roll between your palms until smooth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "between your palms" to describe the action of gently holding or manipulating something with both hands, often to shape or distribute it.

Common error

While the phrase is common, consider alternatives like "in your hands" or "within your grasp" /s/within+your+grasp for a more formal tone in academic or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "between your palms" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, describing the manner in which an action is performed. This is confirmed by Ludwig, showing numerous examples where it clarifies how something is held, rolled, or manipulated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

26%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "between your palms" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the action of holding or manipulating something with both hands. As Ludwig confirms, it's frequently found in lifestyle, cooking, and DIY contexts to provide clear instructions, and its register is typically neutral to informal. While widely applicable, consider using more formal alternatives like "in your hands" /s/in+your+hands in academic or professional writing. Remember, the key is to use it when you want to emphasize a careful, hands-on action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in your hands

Replaces the preposition "between" with "in", focusing on containment rather than the space between the palms.

within your grasp

Emphasizes control and ability to hold something, rather than the physical position.

cupped in your palms

Specifies the shape of the hands, implying a gentle and protective holding.

held in your open hands

More descriptive, emphasizing openness and presentation.

nestled in your palms

Suggests a sense of comfort and security for the object being held.

contained within your hands

Focuses on the act of containment, suitable for abstract concepts.

enclosed by your palms

Highlights the act of surrounding or closing in on something.

pressed between your hands

Implies a gentle squeezing or flattening action.

rolled in your palms

Describes a circular motion of the hands.

smoothed between your palms

Implies a gentle spreading or even distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "between your palms" in a sentence?

The phrase "between your palms" typically describes an action performed using both hands, such as "Roll the dough "between your palms" to form a ball" or "Warm the oil "between your palms" before applying it to your hair."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "between your palms"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in your hands", "within your grasp" /s/within+your+grasp, or "cupped in your hands" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific action you're describing.

Is it more appropriate to say "between my palms" or "in my hands"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "between your palms" /s/between+your+palms usually refers to a specific action of using both hands to manipulate something, while "in your hands" is a broader term that can also imply possession or control.

Can "between your palms" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used to describe physical actions, "between your palms" could be used metaphorically to suggest carefully considering something, similar to holding a delicate object. However, such usage is rare and should be approached with caution.