put hands on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put hands on" is correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.
It can be used to mean physically touching or handling something or someone, or to refer to the act of laying hands on someone in a confrontational or aggressive manner. Example: "The teacher told the students not to put their hands on the fragile science equipment." In this sentence, "put hands on" means physically touching or handling the equipment in question. Example: "If you ever try to put your hands on me again, I'll call the police." In this sentence, "putting hands on" someone would mean physically touching them in an aggressive or unwanted manner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But one rule holds true across the board: One race doesn't put hands on an inmate of another race, even if the con in question is a pedophile.

Vice

I'm sure tons of lecturers have put hands on thighs.

The Guardian

"The flight attendant put hands on him to spin him around, and the passenger started resisting.

The Economist

We can put hands on him now," Brown said during minicamp.

The Washington Post

"There are many times that women put hands on me in a way that if it was your daughter or your sister or your wife you would be upset".

The New York Times

To insure that the twerking in the world-record attempt was of sufficient caliber, participants who entered the cordoned-off area in Herald Square were provided with strict guidelines: 1. Body must remain upright, with movement concentrated in hips 2. Participants can put hands on knees or hips for support 3. Twerking action cannot come from knees.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Our perimeter guys are not putting hands on them.

The New York Times - Sports

Avoid putting hands on the face or touching the forehead / face.

WikiHow

Man puts hand on thigh: well, wow!

The Guardian

Act friendly and type something like -accidentally puts hand on your hand-.

WikiHow

Put hand-sanitizer on hands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical interaction, use "put hands on" to clearly indicate the action. For example, "The technician had to "put hands on" the equipment to repair it."

Common error

Avoid using "put hands on" interchangeably with phrases like "get a handle on" when the intended meaning is to gain control or understanding, rather than physical contact. "Getting a handle on the situation" is different than "putting your hands on the situation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put hands on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a physical action, which can range from simply touching something to physically assaulting someone. As shown in Ludwig, the context determines the specific meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

26%

Reference

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put hands on" is a common and versatile expression that describes a physical interaction. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it can range from innocent touching to aggressive assault, making context crucial for interpretation. While generally neutral in register, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in how-to guides and general discussions. Be mindful of potential misinterpretations and choose alternative phrasing, such as "touch" or "handle", when a less ambiguous term is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay hands on

This alternative emphasizes the physical action of touching someone or something, often with force or intent.

place one's hands on

A more formal or deliberate way of saying "touch".

get one's hands on

Highlights the acquisition or access to something, often implying a desire or effort to obtain it.

get ahold of

This suggests gaining possession or control of something, similar to taking responsibility or action.

handle physically

Emphasizes the physical interaction with something, implying manipulation or examination.

physically assault

This phrase is more direct and specific, referring to a violent physical attack.

take into custody

This phrase describes the act of apprehending someone, often by law enforcement.

exert control over

Focuses on the act of dominating or managing something.

manhandle

Implies rough or clumsy handling of someone or something.

tamper with

Suggests unauthorized or harmful interference with something.

FAQs

What does "put hands on" mean?

The phrase "put hands on" can mean physically touching something, or it can imply physical aggression. Context is crucial to understanding the intended meaning.

What's a less aggressive alternative to "put hands on"?

If you want to express physical interaction without implying aggression, you could use "touch", "handle", or "manipulate", depending on the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "put hands on"?

It's appropriate when describing a physical action, like repairing something or guiding someone. Be cautious using it in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as aggressive or violent.

Is "put hands on" the same as "lay hands on"?

"Put hands on" and "lay hands on" are similar, but "lay hands on" often carries a connotation of blessing or healing, while "put hands on" is more general.