put hands to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'put hands to work' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that can be used to describe the act of working on a task or project, either figuratively or literally. For example: "We need to put our hands to work if we are going to finish this project in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And the call to action, to put hands to work, to stick to promises, all are essential parts of what faith communities stand for at their finest.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sure enough, Klein, who died in 1962 at 34, did not put hand to work on "ANT SU 27".

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Wilson put those hands to work.

The New York Times

Of course, retirees are unlikely to be managing woods, but the point is that you have to put your hands to work to get an inkling of the "intimacy" with the countryside that Hawkes wrote of.

The Guardian

Especially in places like Kosovo where the population is rising fast and underemployed, there is huge unspent energy which will find malign outlets unless a healthy, outward-looking economy can put idle hands to work.

The Economist

For instance, an art exhibition at the centre displayed side by side the plain, austerely elegant furniture produced by the religious movement known as the Shakers (motto: "Put your hands to work and your hearts to God"), and 30 rapturously gaudy Harley-Davidson motorcycles.America's free-wheeling spirit of cultural conglomeration is nowhere more rampant than in its music.

The Economist

Activities that put your hands to work, like knitting, crocheting and gardening, are proven stress relievers, and they may also keep your brain young.

HuffPost

But as they had done in their Eastern communities, the Shakers largely overcame the reproach and hostility by quietly going about their business, embodying the Christian doctrine of rebirth and putting their hands to work and pledging their hearts to God.

The New York Times

It's a way to put idle employee hands to work, to network and to get greater bang from a firm's charitable bucks.

Forbes

"When we put our industrious hands to work, all we know are our own troubles.

Huffington Post

They felt it important, they said, to put their hearts and their hands to work, to make sure that the hammer-wielding cowards did not have the last word.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put hands to work" when you want to emphasize the practical or physical aspect of starting a task. It's particularly effective when encouraging action after a period of inactivity or discussion.

Common error

While versatile, "put hands to work" may sound too informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "begin working" or "commence operations" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put hands to work" functions as an idiomatic expression encouraging action and productivity. Ludwig shows that it often implies a call to start working diligently on a task, whether physical or intellectual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put hands to work" is a useful idiomatic expression that encourages action and productivity. It is often used in news media and academic writing, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples. While grammatically correct and widely understood, remember that more formal alternatives might be preferable in certain professional or academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, urging a transition from planning to active implementation. Therefore, use "put hands to work" confidently, keeping in mind your audience and the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get to work

A straightforward way of saying to start working.

set to work

Emphasizes the initiation of a task or project.

get down to business

Focuses on the commencement of serious work or activity.

roll up your sleeves

Implies preparing to engage in hard work or effort.

apply oneself

Highlights the act of dedicating one's effort and attention to a task.

get cracking

An informal way to suggest beginning work promptly.

dive in

Suggests immersing oneself quickly and energetically into a task.

start the ball rolling

Focuses on initiating a process or activity.

swing into action

Implies moving rapidly and decisively into activity.

buckle down

Stresses the importance of focusing and working diligently.

FAQs

How can I use "put hands to work" in a sentence?

You can use "put hands to work" to encourage action, as in "It's time to "get to work" and "put hands to work" on this project" or to describe the act of starting a task physically.

What is a more formal alternative to "put hands to work"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "begin working", "commence operations", or "initiate efforts" instead of "put hands to work".

Is "put hands to work" appropriate for all types of writing?

While "put hands to work" is widely understood, it may not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing. Assess your audience and the overall tone of your piece to determine if it's the right fit. Consider "apply oneself" as an alternative.

What does it mean to "put hands to work"?

"Put hands to work" means to start doing something, especially something that requires physical effort or practical action. It implies a shift from planning or discussion to actual implementation.