extra pair of hands

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

extra pair of hands (plural extra pairs of hands)

1. (idiomatic) The assistance of another person.
   • 1970, Margaret Clark, Health in the Mexican-American culture: a community study, University of California Press, page 159:

     Compadres visit each other frequently, usually several times a week, and assist each other with labor whenever an extra pair of hands is needed.

   • 1999, Melina Marchetta, Looking for Alibrandi, Scholastic Inc., page 165:

     We needed an extra pair of hands. So Marcus Sandford became our extra pair of hands.

   • 2008, Amy Jean Peters, How to Start a Home-Based Children's Birthday Party Business, Globe Pequot, page 118:

     Do you need an extra pair of hands to help you pass out slices of cake and to clean up after the party is over?