hand tight

or hand-tight

adjective

1. (of a setscrew, nut, etc.) as tight as it can be made by hand, without the aid of a tool.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand tight¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

The ground seemed to spin round, and she closed her hand tight on a bush that was standing beside her.

From Project Gutenberg

It might be, if he held his own hand tight enough, that there would not be money enough even to pay for her passage out.

From Project Gutenberg

She stooped down, and put her hand tight on her own heart, as if to still its beating, and bent her ear to the pale lips.

From Project Gutenberg

Blanche clasped her papa's hand tight, and bounded five or six times.

From Project Gutenberg

"Good-bye, An' Jerusha," he said, holding her hand tight in both his own.

From Project Gutenberg