hands off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hands off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone should not interfere or take action regarding a particular matter or situation. Example: "The manager has a strict 'hands off' policy when it comes to employee personal matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Hands off! Hands off!

The New York Times

He hands off.

The New York Times

"Hands off our public services".

The New York Times

Hands off, guys.

The Guardian - Books

Hands off, George!

The Guardian - Money

HAnds off, you vultures.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Hands clean or hands-off?

The Guardian - Opinion

How hands-off is Mr. Buffett?

The New York Times

This is not a hands-off benefactor.

Independent

It's not all hands-off, either.

The New York Times - Arts

For these parameters, we simulate the maximum hands-off MPC.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hands off" to clearly communicate a policy of non-interference, ensuring that the intended recipient understands the need to refrain from direct intervention in a particular situation.

Common error

Avoid using "hands off" without clearly defining the boundaries of what should not be interfered with. Ambiguity can lead to confusion and unintended consequences. Be specific about the areas or actions to which the "hands off" approach applies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hands off" functions primarily as an interjection or adjective, signaling a request or instruction for non-interference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to tell someone not to touch or interfere with something. Examples from Ludwig show its use in both direct commands and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hands off" is a versatile expression used to convey non-interference, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral to informal register allows for broad application, from asserting personal boundaries to describing management styles. To ensure clarity, specify what should not be interfered with. Alternatives include "leave it alone" or "do not interfere". Use "hands off" to clearly communicate a policy or a request for non-intervention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave alone

Indicates a request not to interfere or disturb something.

do not interfere

Emphasizes the act of refraining from involvement or intervention.

stay out of it

A more informal way of telling someone not to get involved.

non-interventionist

Describes a policy or approach of not intervening in a situation.

laissez-faire

Implies a deliberate policy of minimal interference, especially in economic contexts.

keep your distance

Suggests maintaining a physical or emotional separation to avoid involvement.

take a backseat

Refers to taking a less active or influential role.

remain uninvolved

Highlights the state of not being part of or connected to something.

don't meddle

Warns against interfering in a way that is unwanted or unnecessary.

let it be

Suggests accepting a situation without trying to change it.

FAQs

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

You can use "hands off" to describe a policy of non-interference, as in, "The manager has a "hands off" policy when it comes to employee personal matters." It can also be used as a warning, such as, "Hands off our public services!"

What's a less direct way to say "hands off"?

Instead of "hands off", you could say "leave it alone", "do not interfere", or "stay out of it", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hands off"?

The phrase "hands off" is appropriate when you want to clearly indicate that someone should not interfere or take action regarding a particular matter or situation. It's often used to describe a management style, a political stance, or a personal boundary.

What is the difference between a "hands off" approach and active management?

A "hands off" approach involves minimal intervention and allowing things to proceed without direct control, while active management involves actively monitoring, directing, and making changes to ensure specific outcomes. The choice depends on the context and goals of the situation.