lone hand

American  

noun

1. Cards.

   1. a person who holds a hand so strong that they can play a deal without the hand of their partner.

   2. the hand played by a person whose hand is strong enough to play a deal without a partner.

2. a person who by preference conducts their affairs without the advice or assistance of others.

   She is known as a lone hand in investment circles.

3. a stand or action taken independently.

   A lone hand in the trade negotiations threw off all plans.

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lone hand British  

noun

1. (in card games such as euchre) an independent player or hand played without a partner

2. to operate without assistance

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Etymology

Origin of lone hand

First recorded in 1790–1800

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lone hand

Thing, the lone hand played by Romanian magician Victor Dorobantu, perhaps has the most screen time of anyone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2025

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan made an unbeaten 81 off 60 balls for Sussex, last season's semi-finalists, but it was a lone hand in their 150-6.

From BBC ● May 26, 2022

Once again, Kohli will have to play a lone hand – though Pant could be an exciting partner for him.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 18, 2018

When the applause fades, we see a lone hand holding a quill to parchment.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 6, 2017

And that was a matter in which he had very cogent reasons for desiring to play a lone hand.

From Doors of the Night by Frank L. (Frank Lucius) Packard

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