THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Give me a hand
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Help me with a task, especially something practical.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Could you give me a hand carrying these books to the classroom?
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Could you ________ carrying these books to the classroom?
Show the answer
Give me a hand — Help me with a task, especially something practical.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Give me a hand” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Help me with a task, especially something practical.
Compare: Could you give me a hand carrying these books to the classroom?
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this conversational request with friends, classmates or colleagues. Could you give me a hand, please? is more polite than a direct command.
More examples in context
- Please give me a hand with the chairs before the guests arrive.
- If you have a minute, can you give me a hand sorting these files?
Usage note
Change me to another object pronoun when needed: give her a hand or give us a hand. Use with a task or an -ing form: give me a hand with packing, or give me a hand packing.
A short conversation
A: Could you give me a hand with this box?
B: Of course. Where should we put it?
A: Beside the desk, please.
One more practice question
What is someone asking for when they say “Could you give me a hand with these boxes?”
A. Help with moving or handling the boxes.
B. Permission to leave the boxes untouched.
Check your answer
A. Give me a hand is a request for assistance. The task tells the listener what help is needed.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.