withdraw your hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "withdraw your hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a figurative expression, meaning to stop or take away something that you are doing or offering. For example: "We can no longer accept your generous offer—please withdraw your hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

So, classically, you'll withdraw your hand from a flame, or you'll have surgery and the area will become inflamed and swollen and painful, and you'll be forced to rest it, so that healing can occur.

The New Yorker

Unlike other touch receptors, which operate on a loop — you touch a hot stove, the nerves fire a signal to the brain, the brain registers pain and fires a signal back for you to withdraw your hand — these receptors are one-way.

The New Yorker

France, Germany: One brisk "pump". Latin American, Arab cultures: A light, lingering handshake; to withdraw your hand too quickly might be misinterpreted as an insult.

HuffPost

Where do I go from here?" You, fabulous professional, will take control of this awkward yet all-too-familiar situation and offer a firm yet gentle and reassuring squeeze, make good eye-contact, and then gently withdraw your hand.

HuffPost

If you extend your hand to allow the cat to sniff and it hisses, pulls away, or shifts its weight onto one paw, withdraw your hand.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nothing hard, just light, quick touches before withdrawing your hand again.

WikiHow

Unlike other touch receptors, which operate on a loop you touch a hot stove, the nerves fire a signal to the brain, the brain registers pain and fires a signal back for you to withdraw your hand these receptors are one-way.

The New Yorker

If you are clicker training the puppy, click as soon as he withdraws her mouth from your hand or lets up the pressure.

WikiHow

Grasp the bottom of the condom with your hand and withdraw, preventing the condom from slipping off or spilling.

WikiHow

An exhausted groan erupted from his throat, and I managed to withdraw my hand, dry.

The New Yorker

"We are waiting for them to answer our conditions so they can withdraw and hand over the facilities," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "withdraw your hand" when describing a reflexive action in response to pain or heat, or when describing a deliberate removal of the hand from a social interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "withdraw your hand" in situations where a simple "release" or "let go" is more appropriate. "Withdraw" can imply a sense of caution or avoidance that may not always be intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "withdraw your hand" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of pulling one's hand back, often in response to a stimulus or social cue. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in both physical and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "withdraw your hand" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the action of pulling one's hand back. Ludwig AI analysis shows that the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While primarily used to describe a physical reaction, it can also refer to ending a social interaction. The phrase is considered uncommon, but appropriate in various contexts where a deliberate or cautious removal of the hand is intended. Related phrases include "remove your hand" and "retract your hand", offering similar meanings with slight contextual differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove your hand

Focuses on the act of taking the hand away, similar in meaning but slightly more direct.

take your hand away

A simple and straightforward way of saying to remove the hand.

retract your hand

Emphasizes the act of pulling back the hand, often suggesting a more deliberate or cautious movement.

pull back your hand

Highlights the physical action of pulling the hand backward, implying a quick or reflexive motion.

draw back your hand

Suggests a more controlled and deliberate withdrawal of the hand, possibly indicating caution or hesitation.

reclaim your hand

Implies taking back possession of the hand, possibly from a grasp or hold.

release your hand

Similar to "let go", but can also imply a more formal or deliberate action.

let go of your hand

Indicates releasing something you were holding with your hand.

disengage your hand

Suggests separating the hand from something it was connected to, possibly in a technical or mechanical context.

extract your hand

Implies carefully removing the hand, perhaps from a tight or confined space.

FAQs

How to use "withdraw your hand" in a sentence?

You can use "withdraw your hand" to describe a physical reaction to something unpleasant, such as "He quickly withdrew his hand from the hot stove". It can also describe removing your hand from a social gesture, such as a handshake.

What can I say instead of "withdraw your hand"?

You can use alternatives like "remove your hand", "retract your hand", or "pull back your hand" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "withdraw your hand" or "remove your hand"?

Both "withdraw your hand" and "remove your hand" are grammatically correct. "Withdraw" can imply a more cautious or deliberate action, while "remove" is more general.

What's the difference between "withdraw your hand" and "pull away your hand"?

"Withdraw your hand" suggests a controlled removal, whereas "pulling your hand" usually implies a quicker, more reflexive action, often in response to something unexpected or unpleasant.