hands-down

[ handz-doun ]
/ ˈhændzˈdaʊn /

adjective

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

Origin of hands-down

First recorded in 1865–70

Definition for hands down (2 of 2)

Origin of hand

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German Hand, Old Norse hǫnd, Gothic handus

OTHER WORDS FROM hand

hand·like, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for hands down (1 of 2)

HAND
/ text messaging /

abbreviation for

have a nice day

British Dictionary definitions for hands down (2 of 2)

hand
/ (hænd) /

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of hand

handless, adjective handlike, adjective

Word Origin for hand

Old English hand; related to Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus, Old High German hant

Medical definitions for hands down

hand
[ hănd ]

n.

The terminal part of the human arm located below the forearm, used for grasping and holding and consisting of the wrist, palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb.
A homologous or similar part in other animals.

Idioms and Phrases with hands down (1 of 2)

hands down

1

Also, in a breeze; in a walk. Easily, without effort, as in She won the election hands down, or They won in a breeze, 10–0, or The top players get through the first rounds of the tournament in a walk. All of these expressions originated in sports. Hands down, dating from the mid-1800s, comes from horse racing, where jockeys drop their hands downward and relax their hold when they are sure to win. In a breeze, first recorded in a baseball magazine in 1910, alludes to the rapid and easy passage of moving air; in a walk, also from baseball, alludes to taking a base on balls, that is, reaching first base without having hit a pitched ball because of the pitcher's mistakes.

2

Unquestionably, without a doubt, as in Hands down, it was the best thing I've ever done.

Idioms and Phrases with hands down (2 of 2)

hand