mettere le mani

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to put the hands”.

Verb

méttere le mani (first-person singular present métto le mani, first-person singular past historic mìsi le mani, past participle mésso le mani, auxiliary avére)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see mettere,‎ mano.

   hanno messo le mani sull'auto ― they put their hands on the car

2. to get one's hands [+ su (object) = on]

   Synonyms: impadronirsi, prendere; see also Thesaurus:afferrare

   • 2013, John Steinbeck, translated by Sergio Claudio Perroni, Furore [The Grapes of Wrath], Bompiani, page 366:

     Magari possiamo caricare la roba e ce n'andiamo a Nord. Così quando comincia il cotone siamo già lì. Mi piacerebbe mettere le mani su un po' di cotone.

     S'pose we pack up an' shove north. Then when the cotton's ready, we'll be there. I kinda like to get my han's aroun' some cotton.

     (literally, “Perhaps we can load the stuff and we'll go to the North. This way when the cotton begins, we'll already be there. I'd like to get my hands on a little bit of cotton.”)

3. to meddle [+ in (object) = in/with]

   Synonyms: intervenire, manomettere

See also

• mettere le mani addosso
• mettere le mani sul fuoco
• mettere le mani avanti