hand in hand
Meaning: Closely together; in close association.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Poverty and poor health often go hand in hand.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: People holding hands. The phrase is used in English since the Middle Ages, and figuratively of things that go together.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: De conserve — literally: In convoy
More idioms — Body & Senses
- kicking and screaming — Very reluctantly, protesting all the way.
- lie through one's teeth — To lie openly and shamelessly.
- put one's feet up — To relax and rest.
- fall into someone's lap — To come to someone without any effort.
- fire in the belly — Strong ambition and drive.
- breathe down someone's neck — To watch someone too closely, or to be close behind them.
More English idioms
- butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth — Someone looks innocent or proper, but probably is not.
- raise a hue and cry — To make a loud public protest.
- have the inside track — To have an advantage over others.
- a horn of plenty — An abundant source of something.
- a Sophie's choice — An agonizing choice between two terrible options.
- at someone's beck and call — Always ready to obey someone's orders.
From our false friends
- Sensible — Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
- Constipado — Actually means 'having a head cold'. Estoy constipado = I have a cold.