Hand an etw. legen

to start working on or tamper with something

Türkçe: bir şeye el atmak

Noun

Hand f.

Verb

legen

Topic

Körper und Gesundheit

In a sentence

Der Restaurator legte vorsichtig Hand an die antike Statue.

How it is used

Means to start working on or tamper with something. Neutral/idiomatic. Use when beginning a repair or altering an object. Common mistake: using it for mental tasks—it implies physical action.

Other verbs that go with Hand

This is the choice the collocation turns on.

• etw. in die Hand nehmento take control or responsibility for something
• auf der Hand liegento be obvious
• jdm. aus der Hand fressento be completely submissive or obedient
• jdm. zur Hand gehento help someone with a practical task
• um jds. Hand anhaltento propose marriage
• unter der Hand verkaufento sell secretly or illegally, often to avoid taxes
• die Hand erheben gegen jdn.to threaten or physically attack someone

All collocations with Hand

Other collocations built on legen

• zu den Akten legento file away
• einen Akzent legen auf+Akk.to place emphasis on
• einen Brand legento deliberately set a fire, often with criminal intent (arson)
• ein Ei legento lay an egg
• jdm. ein Ei legento play a trick on someone
• etw. auf Eis legento postpone or shelve a plan temporarily
• Feuer legento set fire
• zu Grunde legento use as a basis