hand-running
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of hand-running
First recorded in 1820–30; extension of “in the run of a hand,” a reference to a card player receiving several good cards in a single deal, and implying quick succession
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.
In fact, for two years hand-running, almost daily, and in spite of the three-legged shepherd’s fang-baring snarls, Bernabe had been ticketing Onofre’s perambulating junk heap.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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Upon hearing that the poor thing had never seemed really well from the day he was hurt, and had been "going on like this for four days, hand-running," he was quite angry—for him.
From When Grandmamma Was New The Story of a Virginia Childhood by Harland, Marion
She wouldn't get many silk-dresses, and she'd have to fix her old bonnets over two or three years hand-running.
From The Mystery of Metropolisville by Eggleston, Edward
Dine with me here three nights hand-running and they'll let you into the Syndicate by the back door without even asking your name.
From The Destroying Angel by Vance, Louis Joseph
"I'm invited to Mrs. Alderson's next week," Gertrude continued, "and I've nothing on earth to wear but that everlasting old white muslin that I've worn five times hand-running."
From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 17, No. 100, April, 1876 by Various
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.