expansive hands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expansive hands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe hands that are large, open, or welcoming, often in a metaphorical sense to convey generosity or a broad reach. Example: "With her expansive hands, she embraced everyone in the room, making them feel instantly welcomed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Duris looks increasingly animated: eyes blazing, hair getting wilder with each expansive hand gesture.

The Guardian - Film

Daring, touchy and fond of puns, prone to expansive hand gestures and public emotion, they were the big-eyebrowed and ferocious heirs of Dracula and Attila the Hun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her head suddenly fills with an image of her grandmother, the way she'd lean against the kitchen doorframe back home, brow furrowed as she reprimanded the maid with kind, expansive hand gestures: I just don't understand, you see.

The New Yorker

Making expansive hand gestures that flattered viewers with an implied inclusiveness, a sense of give-and-take, Saddam paid the American character a high compliment: "On films, we see that the Americans are courageous.

The New Yorker

By the time we leave, Robin, the photographer, is peppering his speech with 'grazie mille' and 'molto bene', has stopped asking for after-dinner cappuccinos and started greeting women with expansive hand gestures and kisses on both cheeks.

The Guardian - Travel

While Isner was helping the Bulldogs to the N.C.A.A. title, the men's professional tour seemed so far away But for one set on a brilliant summer afternoon, it was in the palm of his expansive hand.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, though, De Villiers was freed from the necessity to mend the early damage, and with Du Plessis anchoring things, he began to play an expansive hand, the pair having added 102 for the fourth wicket by the time the rain began to fall in the middle of the second powerplay and the players were forced from the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Her only practice had been one pilot – a "sobering experience", she laughs, during which she "crashed the pips several times in a row" by mistiming her bulletin countdowns, and accidentally whacked the microphone with an expansive hand gesture, which, the studio director had to remind her, would have been quite lost on her listeners.

The Guardian

He's hyper-alert, looks you straight in the eye while talking, and his conversation in French speeds up heatedly, punctuated by expansive hand signals, when he gets onto a subject close to his heart, such as his favourite Korean directors or the American cinema of the 70s – "A cultural renaissance!

The Guardian - Film

And the box on the left is my in-tray; until last week it lived on the desk, and whenever I made an expansive hand gesture I'd knock the whole thing off and then just leave it, to increase my despair.

The Guardian - Books

He even dreamed up Political Fest, the expansive, hands-on political exhibit with everything from a mock Oval Office to a cruise missile that is drawing raves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expansive hands", consider the context. It can refer to physical size, generosity, or the scope of someone's influence or actions. Choose the interpretation that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "expansive hands" when simply describing large hands. Opt for more direct language like "large hands" or "broad hands" to prevent sounding overly metaphorical when a literal description suffices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expansive hands" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "expansive" modifies the noun "hands". Ludwig AI examples showcase its use both literally (referring to physical size) and metaphorically (implying generosity or influence).

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expansive hands" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that combines the adjective "expansive" with the noun "hands". As Ludwig AI indicates, it can function both literally, referring to the physical size of hands, and metaphorically, suggesting generosity, influence, or scope. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent and appears across various contexts, including news, scientific discussions, and business writing. When using this phrase, consider the intended nuance—whether you aim to describe physical attributes or imply a broader, more inclusive reach. Avoid overuse in purely literal contexts, opting for clearer language like "large hands" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large hands

Focuses primarily on the physical size of the hands.

generous hands

Emphasizes the giving or benevolent nature associated with the hands.

welcoming hands

Highlights the inviting and receptive quality of the hands.

open hands

Suggests a lack of reservation or hidden agendas.

broad hands

Similar to "large hands", but can also imply experience or skill.

all-embracing hands

Conveys a sense of inclusivity and acceptance.

spacious hands

Emphasizes the roominess or capacity of the hands.

unreserved hands

Highlights the lack of hesitation or restraint in using the hands.

unfettered hands

Suggests freedom and a lack of limitations in what the hands can do.

ample hands

Implies a plentiful or abundant quality associated with the hands.

FAQs

How can I use "expansive hands" in a sentence?

You can use "expansive hands" to describe physical characteristics, such as "The sculptor's expansive hands allowed him to mold the clay with precision". It can also be used metaphorically to imply generosity or influence.

What's a good alternative to "expansive hands"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "large hands" for physical size or "generous hands" to imply giving nature.

Is it better to say "expansive hands" or "large hands"?

It depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Large hands" is a straightforward description of size, while "expansive hands" can suggest greater reach, generosity, or influence.

When is it appropriate to use "expansive hands" metaphorically?

It's appropriate when you want to suggest that someone's actions, influence, or generosity are far-reaching and inclusive. For instance, "The organization's expansive hands touched countless lives".