1. Literally, holding hands with one another. Katie and her new boyfriend are so cute, always going around hand in hand.The kids paired up and walked hand in hand across the street.A: "Look at those two lovebirds strolling along hand in hand. Barf." B: "Can't you just be happy for them?"
2. Complementing one another harmoniously. You can't have peanut butter without jelly—they go hand in hand!Our innovative research into cutting-edge technologies goes hand in hand with our efforts to improve the infrastructure of third-world countries.If you'd ever just try pineapple on pizza, you'd see that they really do go hand in hand!
3. Functioning jointly or in conjunction (with someone or something else), as to achieve a single common goal or outcome. Our company works hand in hand with market research firms to ensure that our clients' advertising reaches the broadest and most well suited audiences possible.The two drugs work hand in hand to combat the disease—one fighting the original infection, the other helping to repair damaged cells and tissue.When you're a parent, you quickly learn that tantrums and bedtime go hand in hand.
1.Lit. holding hands. (*Typically: do something ~ sit ~ walk ∼.) They walked down the street hand in hand.Bob and Mary sat there quietly, hand in hand.
2.Fig. [of two things] together, one with the other. (*Typically: go ∼.) Cookies and milk seem to go hand in hand.Teenagers and back talk go hand in hand.
In cooperation, jointly, as in Industrial growth and urbanization often go hand in hand. This phrase, often put as go hand in hand with, was first recorded in 1576.
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