lay hands on
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lay (one's) hands on (someone or something)
1. To touch or grasp someone, often with the threat of violence. Oh, once I lay my hands on you, you'll take back what you said!
2. To acquire something, usually a physical object. I need to go to the library and lay my hands on this book for my research paper. It took years, but I've finally laid my hands on this very rare Beatles recording!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
lay hands on
1. Also, get one's hands on. Get someone or something in one's grasp, especially to do harm. For example, Tom's gone off with the keys again; just wait till I lay my hands on him. [c. a.d. 1000]
2. Also, get or lay or put one's hands on . Find, obtain, as in As soon as I lay hands on the book, I'll call you, or He couldn't seem to put his hands on last year's sales figures. Also see get hold of.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.