hand in hand

Idioms and Phrases

In cooperation, jointly, as in Industrial growth and urbanization often go hand in hand . This phrase, often put as go hand in hand with , was first recorded in 1576.

Example Sentences

Strong growth in stocks and houses has come hand in hand with increased wealth inequality.

From Los Angeles Times

Tree Coalition, which secured a grant for the study, worked hand in hand with its academic partners, identifying participants and shaping the interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Love and tragedy go hand in hand, so that's part of it.

From Salon

Over time, they fall in love, and grow old, still walking hand in hand everywhere they go.

From BBC

“He also incited the most violent attack on our Capitol in history. There is nothing inconsistent about defending our democracy and deploring the use of political violence — indeed they go hand in hand.”

From Los Angeles Times

More About Hand In Hand

What does hand in hand mean?

Hand in hand is used to describe two or more things that are in close cooperation or closely linked together.

Hand in hand can also be used literally to mean holding hands, as in My grandparents still walk hand in hand. 

When it’s used figuratively, hand in hand is often applied to people working closely together or elements of a situation that tend to coincide, perhaps because one causes the other (like drought and famine) or because they exist in a cycle (like poverty and unemployment).

The phrase is especially used with the verbs go and work, as in go hand in hand and work hand in hand.

Example: The marketing team will be working hand in hand with the sales team on the product launch. 

Where does hand in hand come from?

The first records of the literal sense of hand in hand come from the 1300s, but its figurative sense didn’t appear until the 1500s. The metaphor makes sense: people who literally walk hand in hand (hold hands) have a close relationship, and people who work hand in hand need to cooperate and communicate closely.

In this way, hand in hand is often applied to two people or groups that often work separately but will soon be working closely together, as in The government will be working hand in hand with the private sector on this initiative. 

When hand in hand is used to describe things that often happen simultaneously, it usually implies that they have a cause-and-effect relationship or that they have a common cause. Physical and mental health are often said to go hand in hand, for example.​

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for hand in hand?

• in tandem
• cooperatively
• closely
• jointly
• conjointly
• together

What are some words that share a root or word element with hand in hand? 

• hand
• in
• hand-to-mouth

What are some words that often get used in discussing hand in hand?

• go
• work
• two
• cooperate
• communication

What are some words hand in hand may be commonly confused with?

• hand-to-hand

How is hand in hand used in real life?

When it’s applied to close working relationships, hand in hand is often used in a positive way to encourage or praise such cooperation.

The body needs rest. It’s now a priority of mine, right along with nutrition and exercise. They really should all go hand in hand. I was stubborn and late to the lesson, but glad I’ve arrived. Worth thinking about.

— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) May 6, 2020

Social justice and the church’s teachings absolutely MUST go hand in hand.

— liz daniel (@lizdaniel06) May 7, 2020

Matt Canada will get a chance to work hand-in-hand with all of our quarterbacks. And not even that, he'll bring some fresh ideas, too. – Coach Tomlin

— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) April 20, 2020

 

 

Try using hand in hand!

Which of the following words is LEAST likely to describe things that go hand in hand?

A. together
B. cooperative
C. close
D. apart