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

She’d be gripping his hand tight, like she’d just pulled him out of the churning sea.

From Literature

Helena squeezed my hand tight.

From Literature

Izio held my hand tight beneath the table.

From Literature

At the end of the day I wait by the school steps, hand tight on the handle of my small flute case.

From Literature

My legs felt wobbly-weak, and Jay squeezed my hand tight as we watched Susie split her scalp straight down the middle and continue right down her back.

From Literature