on the one hand

Idioms and Phrases

Also, on one hand . As one point of view, from one standpoint. This phrase is often paired with on the other hand to indicate two sides of an issue. For example, On the one hand this car is expensive; on the other hand, it's available and we need it right now . [First half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

They told me that, on the one hand, there’s virtually no chance that America will lose its democracy, even if Trump is elected and acts on his most destructive instincts, unconstrained by the law.

From Salon

But typically, in healthier times than ours, the connection between a candidate’s character and actions on the one hand, and their idealized symbolic projection on the other, remains visible and therefore functional.

From Salon

"You can't on the one hand declare an emergency and then on the other say 'it's alright, we'll call the fire brigade a bit later'."

From BBC

These winds have a mixed effect on the fire’s ability to spread — on the one hand, the gusts are directed inward, meaning that sparks are less likely to be pushed outward.

From Los Angeles Times

"We can condemn the violence on the one hand but also talk about the terrible consequences of Kamala Harris's open border on the other hand," he said.

From Salon