hands-off

[ handz-awf, -of ]

/ ˈhændzˈɔf, -ˈɒf /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR hands-off ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by nonintervention or noninterference: the new hands-off foreign policy.

remote or unfriendly; estranging: a truculent, hands-off manner toward strangers.

Nearby words

Origin of hands-off

First recorded in 1900–05

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hands-off

For years, President Obama took a hands-off approach to Iraqi politics.
Exclusive: Inside Obama's Push for Regime Change in Iraq|Eli Lake|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For the most part, the colonels and generals were hands-off and allowed us to do the job we were trained to do.
Gagging the Corps: A Marine Commandant’s War on Newsprint|David Abrams|February 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Team Obama had better hope its hands-off strategy for saving the two-state solution works.
Why Obama Will Ignore Israel|Peter Beinart|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The better decision is incremental reforms at the state level and a hands-off approach from the feds.
Why Legalizing Marijuana on Election Day Might Not Be a Good Idea|Tony Doukopil|October 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST

When that happens, even the “hands-off” behavior may bring hands-on cuffs.
Why Do Men Flash People on Twitter?|T. Byram Karasu|June 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Secretary Johnson had obviously adopted a hands-off policy on integration.
Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965|Morris J. MacGregor, Jr.
We interfered under a most questionable extension of the Monroe Doctrine, and asserted the principle of "Hands-off."
"Imperialism" and "The Tracks of Our Forefathers"|Charles Francis Adams
So far as foreign powers are concerned, we have laid down the principle of "Hands-off."
"Imperialism" and "The Tracks of Our Forefathers"|Charles Francis Adams

British Dictionary definitions for hands-off

hands-off

adjective

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

denoting a policy, etc, of deliberate noninvolvementa hands-off strategy towards industry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hands-off

hands-off

also hands off, as an adjective, by 1895. As a command to desist, by 1810.

hands-off

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of hands-off

Examples from the Web for hands-off

British Dictionary definitions for hands-off

hands-off

adjective

Word Origin and History for hands-off

hands-off