raise a hand against

raise a hand against (one)

To strike one or threaten to do so. It's a pathetic, cowardly man who would raise a hand against a child. Times have changed, and teachers never raise a hand against their students anymore.

See also: hand, raise

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

raise a hand against

Also, lift one's hand against. Threaten to hit or actually hit, as in She's never raised a hand against the children. [First half of 1500s]

See also: hand, raise

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.

lift/raise a ˈhand against somebody

to hit or threaten to hit somebody: She never raised a hand against her daughter because she didn’t believe in hitting children.

See also: hand, lift, raise, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017