lazy tongs

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. extensible tongs for grasping objects at a distance, consisting of a series of pairs of crossing pieces, each pair pivoted together in the middle and connected with the next pair at the extremities.

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lazy tongs British  

plural noun

1. a set of tongs with extensible arms to allow objects to be grasped or handled at a distance

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Etymology

Origin of lazy tongs

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

But that sort of thing is remarkably like writing a letter by means of a pen held in lazy tongs instead of the hand.

From Anticipations Of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human life and Thought by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

A very easily imagined series of accidents may place the destinies of Germany in such lazy tongs again.

From Anticipations Of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human life and Thought by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)