lean hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lean hand" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could potentially be used in a specific context, such as describing a hand that is slender or thin, but it is not commonly used. Example: "She reached out with her lean hand to grasp the delicate flower."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the taste of its juicy, yet lean, hand-sliced pastrami is worthy of an old-fashioned New York deli.

The New York Times

Holding the cue - Use one hand to lean the cue on (leaning hand).

WikiHow

Noteshelf is good at ignoring the touch of your wrist if you accidentally lean your hand on the touch screen while writing.

The New York Times - Tech

He was moved to the processing area, stripped, ordered to lean his hands against the wall and spread his legs for a body search.

Forbes

Step forwards with one foot and lean your hands against the wall until you feel a stretch in the calf of your back leg.

WikiHow

Lift up the upper left corner of the board with your left hand and lean to your right.

WikiHow

She leaned over, hands on her lab-coat knees, and looked in at our puppy.

The New Yorker

What would it cost?'" She leans in, hands on knees, and pauses for dramatic effect.

The Guardian - Books

Slightly built with a trim, graying beard, Mr. Rivel leans back, hands clasped behind his head.

The New York Times

Suddenly, as we passed, he leaned over, handed me a bouquet of fresh pink and yellow roses, and said cheerfully, "Here you go".

The New York Times

As Coach Pat Riley stepped onto the court, Tim Hardaway walked in front of him and leaned over, hands on his knees, looking for an answer.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's physical attributes, consider more common alternatives like "slender hand" or "thin hand" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid combining adjectives in unusual ways (like "lean hand") when more readily understood options exist. Prioritize clarity and ease of comprehension for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lean hand" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, where "lean" modifies the noun "hand". It aims to convey a specific characteristic of the hand, namely its slenderness or lack of flesh. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not common in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "lean hand" is not a standard or frequently used expression in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is not widely understood. If your goal is to describe a slender or thin hand, consider using more common alternatives such as "slender hand" or "thin hand" to ensure clarity. The phrase appears in various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, but is relatively uncommon overall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slender hand

Replaces "lean" with a more common and direct synonym, focusing on the hand's thinness.

thin hand

Similar to "slender hand", emphasizes the lack of bulk in the hand.

supporting hand

Shifts the focus from physical appearance to the function of providing support.

steadying hand

Highlights the act of stabilizing something with the hand.

leaning on a hand

Reverses the structure to focus on the action of leaning using the hand.

resting hand

Describes a hand in a state of repose, potentially bearing weight.

propped hand

Implies that the hand is being used as a support, often unintentionally.

resting a hand

Similar to "leaning on a hand", describes the action of supporting weight with a hand.

hand offering support

Focuses on hand giving you support

resting with the hand

Similar to "resting a hand", describes the act of supporting with a hand.

FAQs

What does "lean hand" mean?

While not a standard expression, "lean hand" could describe a slender or thin hand. However, it's less common than alternatives like "slender hand" or "thin hand".

What can I say instead of "lean hand"?

Depending on the context, you could use "slender hand", "thin hand", or "supporting hand".

Is "lean hand" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "lean hand" isn't a common or idiomatic expression. It's better to opt for more conventional phrasing for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lean hand"?

It's best to use more common and easily understood alternatives. However, in specific creative or descriptive contexts, "lean hand" could be used if the intention is clear.