lay hands on
Idioms-
Also, get one's hands on . Get someone or something in one's grasp, especially to do harm. For example, Tom's gone off with the keys again; just wait till I lay my hands on him . [c. a.d. 1000]
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Also, . Find, obtain, as in As soon as I lay hands on the book, I'll call you , or He couldn't seem to put his hands on last year's sales figures . Also see get hold of .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said she did not lay hands on the security guard but was desperate to keep a hold of the bag and its contents.
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026
So I completely get why Larry David would lay hands on the world’s kindliest Muppet on live TV.
From Salon • Feb. 9, 2024
Laird has said the Department of Corrections agreed to Stouffer’s request that the Rev. Howard Potts, a Baptist minister, be allowed to lay hands on him during the procedure.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 23, 2021
Specifically, he wants permission for his pastor to pray by his side and lay hands on him when his heart stops.
From Slate • Nov. 9, 2021
However, Zeus was glad enough of an excuse not to lay hands on her.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
