hands-off

American  

[handz-awf, -of] / ˈhændzˈɔf, -ˈɒf /

adjective

1. characterized by nonintervention or noninterference.

   the new hands-off foreign policy.

2. remote or unfriendly; estranging.

   a truculent, hands-off manner toward strangers.

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hands-off British  

adjective

1. (of a machine, device, etc) without need of manual operation

2. denoting a policy, etc, of deliberate noninvolvement

   a hands-off strategy towards industry

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hands off Idioms  

1. An order to stop touching or interfering with something, as in Hands off the cake, children! This idiom is also put as keep one's hands off, as in She knew she had to keep her hands off so he could learn to tie his shoes by himself. [Mid-1500s]

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Etymology

Origin of hands-off

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

McCullum and Key took a more hands-off approach to the England team which critics felt led to an overly relaxed environment.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

In late 2025, Rivian outlined plans to introduce hands-off, eyes-off driving and develop its own artificial-intelligence chips.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

Indeed, the administration takes a surprisingly hands-off approach.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

But among some inside the Police Department, there are growing frustrations with officer discipline and the new chief’s hands-off style.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025

But maybe they’re just a really hands-off kind of couple.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera