T
The Daily Insight

How do you use hands down

Author

Emma Valentine

Published Feb 26, 2026

The phrase ‘hands down’ is an idiom that means easily, definitely; without question. Example: I ate chocolate lava cake for the first time and it was hands down the best dessert I’ve eaten. In other words, it was without a doubt the best.

What does it mean to hand something down?

1. phrasal verb. If you hand down something such as knowledge, a possession, or a skill, you give or leave it to people who belong to a younger generation.

Where does the phrase hands down the best come from?

“The phrase hands down comes from horse racing, as explained by The Phrase Finder : Jockeys need to keep a tight rein in order to encourage their horse to run. Anyone who is so far ahead that he can afford to slacken off and still win he can drop his hands and loosen the reins – hence winning ‘hands down’.

What does wins hands down mean?

phrase. If you win hands down, you win very easily. We have been beaten in some games which we should have won hands down.

What head down means?

heads down. Concentrating, usually so heavily and for so long that everything outside the focus area is missed.

What's another word for handed down?

hereditaryinheritedwilledbequeathedfamilyancestralhanded-downpassed-downpassed-ontraditional

Is hands down one word?

easy: a hands-down victory. certain: a book destined to be a hands-down bestseller.

Will be handed down?

(DECIDE) to make a legal decision known to the public by making an official statement: The appeals court handed down its decision yesterday.

What does sentence handed down mean?

To deliver (the decision of a court, etc.) … To forward to the proper officer (the decision of a higher court). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals handed down its decision.

What does to throw in the towel mean?

To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”

Article first time published on

What does Tideous mean?

Full Definition of tedious : tiresome because of length or dullness : boring a tedious public ceremony. Other Words from tedious Synonyms & Antonyms The Long and Uneventful History of Tedious More Example Sentences Learn More About tedious.

What the meaning of No Sweat?

convention. If a person says no sweat when you ask them about something or ask them to do something, they mean that it is not a problem or that it can be done quickly or easily. [informal] ‘Many thanks. ‘—’No sweat.

What is tickled pink?

Definition of tickled pink informal. : very happy or amused I was tickled pink to see her.

What does it mean when someone is in your corner?

Meaning: If you have someone in your corner, you have their support or help.

What does Headover mean?

: up to the ears : deeply.

Is hands down an adverb?

hands down (adverb)

What does it mean to bow down under pressure?

: to show weakness by agreeing to the demands or following the orders of (someone or something) I will bow down to no one. The government is refusing to bow down to pressure to lift the sanctions.

What is lay into?

DEFINITIONS1. (lay into someone) to attack someone physically or with cruel words because you are angry with them. My parents really laid into me for being so late. Synonyms and related words. To attack a person or object.

What does the appeal was handed down mean?

Publication of the judgment often follows a procedure referred to as ‘hand-down‘, usually done at a short hearing at which the parties do not need to attend. … No action is to be taken (other than internally) in response to the draft before judgment has been formally pronounced.

What is a hand down list?

Supreme Court. Court of Appeals Decisions. Hand Down Lists. Use the calendar arrows left or right to navigate to a specific month/year and then click on a date.

What are the 7 sentencing options?

Criminal sentences may involve one or more different elements, including incarceration (prison, jail), probation, fines, restitution (victim compensation), community service, and diversion.

What does handed mean?

1. phrasal verb. If you hand in something such as homework or something that you have found, you give it to a teacher, police officer, or other person in authority. I’m supposed to have handed in a first draft of my dissertation. phrasal verb.

Why do we say pay through the nose?

The origin of the phrase pay through the nose is quite murky, though it seems to be associated in some way to the paying of taxes. When the Danes conquered Ireland in the ninth century, they took a census by “counting noses”. Exorbitant taxes were imposed on each “nose”, thus one had to pay through the nose.

What does running up the bill mean?

1. phrasal verb. If someone runs up bills or debts, they acquire them by buying a lot of things or borrowing money. She managed to run up a credit card debt of $60,000.

What does that cost an arm and a leg mean?

Definition of cost an arm and a leg informal. : to be too expensive I want a new car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

What does absentmindedly mean?

Definition of absentminded 1a : lost in thought and unaware of one’s surroundings or actions : preoccupied was too absentminded to notice what time it was. b : tending to forget or fail to notice things : given to absence of mind (see absence sense 3) Her absentminded husband forgot their anniversary.

What is the meaning of flashing past?

phrasal verb. flash by/past. ​(of time) to go very quickly. The morning has just flashed by.

What does fluctuating mean?

Definition of fluctuate intransitive verb. 1 : to shift back and forth uncertainly Oil prices fluctuated. Temperatures fluctuated. 2 : to rise and fall in or as if in waves The boat fluctuated on the rough sea.

What does shake your leg mean?

used to tell someone to hurry or act more quickly: Come on, Nick, shake a leg or we’ll never be ready in time.

What does I'm toast mean?

informal. to be likely to be unsuccessful, destroyed, or dead: If I don’t agree to do what they ask, I’m toast.

What are the most popular slang words?

  • Dope – Cool or awesome.
  • GOAT – “Greatest of All Time”
  • Gucci – Good, cool, or going well.
  • Lit – Amazing, cool, or exciting.
  • OMG – An abbreviation for “Oh my gosh” or “Oh my God”
  • Salty – Bitter, angry, agitated.
  • Sic/Sick – Cool or sweet.
  • Snatched – Looks good, perfect, or fashionable; the new “on fleek”