[Vocabulary] Put my hand

Status
Not open for further replies.

Offroad

Key Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
Brazil
Dear teachers

Is this sentence below idiomatic?

I put my hand to establish the partnership.

As I understand it, 'put my hand' is close in meaning to 'make oneself available'.

Thank you
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Where did you find this sentence? It seems to be missing a word.

Are you sure it is not "put my hand in," indicating that he extended his hand to shake hands over the new partnership?
 

Offroad

Key Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
Brazil
Would it be OK if I changed the sentence and the position of the preposition?

I put in my hand to establish the partnership.

Thank you
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
On second thought, I think "put out my hand" is better.
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Would it be OK if I changed the sentence and the position of the preposition?

I put in my hand to establish the partnership.

Thank you

If this is intended to be about a handshake, I would say either "put out my hand" or "extend my hand". Also, "put my hand to" means to sign something. One could say "I put my hand to the contract establishing the partnership."
 
Last edited:

Offroad

Key Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
Brazil
If this is intended to be about a handshake, I would say either "put out my hand" or "extend my hand". Also, "put my hand to" means to sign something. One could say "I put my hand to the contract establishing the partnership."

No, it is not about a handshake. I thought I could use that idiom to say (in an email) that I am willing/open to establish a partnership.

Thank you
 
Last edited:

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
No, it is not about a handshake. I thought I could use that idiom to say (in an email) that I am willing/open to establish a partnership.

Thank you

I corrected a typo in my post to you.
 

Raymott

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
English
Home Country
Australia
Current Location
Australia
No, it is not about a handshake. I thought I could use that idiom to say (in an email) that I am willing/open to establish a partnership.

Thank you
Well, you can't. Sorry.
You could make up a scenario for en email conversation:
A: Will you give me your hand on that?
B: Well it's a bit hard in an email, but you have my hand metaphorically.

Doing things with your hands doesn't translate well to email (except for typing).
 

Offroad

Key Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2008
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Home Country
Brazil
Current Location
Brazil
I corrected a typo in my post to you.
And I amended it!;-)

Well, you can't. Sorry.
You could make up a scenario for en email conversation:
A: Will you give me your hand on that?
B: Well it's a bit hard in an email, but you have my hand metaphorically.

Doing things with your hands doesn't translate well to email (except for typing).
Very much appreciated, I will think of something else.

Thank you
 

JMurray

Key Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2010
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
English
Home Country
New Zealand
Current Location
Australia
not a teacher

You can say: "I put my hand up to be in the partnership".
Here, "put my hand up" does mean to make yourself available.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top