hands in silver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hands in silver" is not a standard expression in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a poetic or metaphorical sense, perhaps to describe a situation involving wealth or value, but clarity would depend on additional context. Example: "With hands in silver, she crafted delicate jewelry that sparkled in the sunlight."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jill Horowitz Dear Diary: As I walked in Midtown Manhattan on a lovely spring day, I saw a mime all in silver -- face and hands in silver makeup and silver-colored clothes -- standing statue straight and statue still.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Prices range from about $125 for a sleeveless nylon top to $2,252 for a gown of calico with Japanese art motifs beaded and embroidered by hand in silver and gold.

The New York Times - Style

"Set me free," Mark and his fellow prisoners sing with their hands bound in silver construction paper chains from behind cardboard bars.

Los Angeles Times

My image of a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla was not a small-framed pretty girl in a jean-jacket, hands bangled in silver rings and white-sparkling nail-polish, with a silver cross hanging down a low-cut t-shirt and high heeled black sandals that evidently cut in her feet (she kept fiddling with the straps).

Huffington Post

Each will be 12 inches tall and cast in a flat form hand-gilded in silver and copper leaf.

The New York Times - Arts

It consists of a 1936 Chrysler Airstream, hand-painted in silver, whose six windows have been replaced with video monitors that show iconographic images from the past century, including American presidents and Marilyn Monroe, with music from Mozart's Requiem.

The New York Times - Arts

Try your hand at investing in silver bars.

WikiHow

She offered a five-dollar bill in payment, and was handed back her change in silver dollars.

The New Yorker

The six men finally had Olympic medals in their hands -- silver ones -- and they were in awe.

The New York Times - Sports

I wear them with a beaten-up pair of velvet slippers, with hand-embroidered skulls on them in silver bullion.

The New York Times

Previously commissioned to craft a sculpture of Bill France and his wife, Ann France, for display in front of NASCAR corporate headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, Lajba's work on each replica trophy requires six weeks of 12-hour days to create the Firebird I automobile, with all the work done by hand, before it gets plated in silver by A&J Plating, also located in Omaha.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hands in silver", consider the context carefully to ensure clarity. Because it's not a common expression, make sure the reader understands the intended meaning, whether literal (hands covered in silver) or figurative (having wealth or influence).

Common error

Avoid using "hands in silver" when a more direct expression is appropriate. Using it metaphorically without establishing a clear context can lead to confusion. For instance, instead of saying "His hands were in silver", consider "He was very wealthy" or "He had a lot of influence" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hands in silver" functions as a prepositional phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier describing a state or condition. The Ludwig AI notes it's not a standard English expression. It can describe a literal covering of silver or metaphorically indicate involvement with wealth.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

32%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hands in silver" is a prepositional phrase that is grammatically acceptable but not a standard English idiom. It can describe hands literally covered in silver or, metaphorically, wealth or luxury. As Ludwig AI points out, clarity depends heavily on context, as it is not a common expression. While sources like The New York Times have used it, its infrequent usage suggests considering clearer alternatives like "silver-plated hands" or, for figurative meanings, more direct expressions such as "wealthy" or "involved in valuable activities". Overall, while grammatically sound, careful consideration of context and audience is crucial when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hands of silver

Suggests the hands are made of silver.

hands covered in silver

Implies a complete covering of silver.

silver-plated hands

Focuses on the material covering the hands, rather than the action of having hands in something.

hands adorned with silver

Emphasizes the decorative aspect of silver on the hands.

with silver in hand

Highlights possession of silver rather than immersion.

handling silver

Focuses on the action of manipulating silver.

grasping silver

Focuses on the act of holding silver.

silver-laden hands

Highlights the weight or burden of silver.

silver-touched hands

Suggests a light contact with silver.

bearing silver

Emphasizes the act of carrying silver.

FAQs

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

You can use "hands in silver" to describe someone whose hands are literally covered in silver or, metaphorically, someone who is deeply involved in wealth or luxury. For instance: "The mime had his "hands in silver" as part of his street performance."

What does "hands in silver" mean?

Literally, "hands in silver" refers to hands that are covered or immersed in silver. Figuratively, it can suggest wealth, luxury, or involvement in valuable activities. It is not a very common expression.

What can I say instead of "hands in silver"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "silver-plated hands" for a literal description, or "involved in wealth" or "enjoying luxury" for a figurative meaning.

Is "hands of silver" or "hands in silver" more common?

"Hands of silver" is slightly more common and suggests hands made of silver. "Hands in silver" implies the hands are covered or immersed in silver, whether literally or metaphorically.