Meaning & use
open hands
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
In a generous way, ready to give money or help freely to others.
Grammar: Used after 'with' to describe how someone gives or welcomes: they gave with open hands.
Patterns
- give with open hands
- welcome someone with open hands
The whole village welcomed the refugees with open hands.
She gives with open hands whenever a neighbor is in trouble.
They received the donation with open hands and shared it among the poorest families.
phrasefixed phrase
With the palms facing upward or outward, especially to show you mean no harm.
Grammar: Describes a physical position; often follows 'with' or a verb like 'hold' or 'raise'.
Patterns
- hold your hands open
- raise your hands open
- with open hands
He walked toward the dog with open hands so it would not feel threatened.
She held her hands open to show she was not hiding anything.
The children stood with open hands, waiting for the candy to fall.
Common combinations
- with open hands
- They accepted the gift with open hands.
- give with open hands
- He gives with open hands to anyone who asks.
- welcome someone with open hands
- The community welcomed the new teacher with open hands.
- hold your hands open
- Hold your hands open and let the bird decide to come.
Synonyms and how they differ
- generously
- An adverb that simply means giving a lot; 'with open hands' adds a picture of a warm, unguarded welcome.
- open-handed
- An adjective with almost the same meaning, but it describes the person or the gift, not the manner: an open-handed host.
- freely
- Means without holding back, and fits actions as well as money; 'open hands' is more about a friendly, giving attitude.
Opposites
Word family
- open-handed adjective
- Generous and willing to give.
- open-handedness noun
- The quality of being generous.
- openhanded adverb
- In a generous way (less common spelling).
Commonly confused: open hands or openhanded?
open hands vs openhanded
As one word it usually means 'generous'; as two words ('open hands') it often describes the actual position of the palms.
Practice
The neighbors welcomed the young couple ___ open hands.
Choose one answer.
'With open hands' is the fixed phrase meaning in a warm, generous way. 'By' would suggest a method, 'on' and 'for' do not fit this idiom at all.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “open hands”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.