offer (redirected from offering hand)

*a helping hand

Fig. help; physical help, especially with the hands. (*Typically: get ~; need ~; give someone ~; offer ~; offer someone ~.) When you feel like you need a helping hand making dinner, just let me know.

See also: hand

*offer one cannot refuse

Cliché a very attractive offer. (*Typically: give one ~; make ~; make one ~.) He made me an offer I could not refuse, so I sold him my car.

See also: cannot, one, refuse

make someone an offer

to offer someone an amount of money for something. (Usually an invitation.) Do you like it? Make me an offer.

See also: make

offer something for something

to suggest a certain amount of money as a purchase price for something. I'll offer you ten bucks for that watch. They offered me very little for my car.

offer something to someone (as something)

to propose giving something to someone as a gift, peace offering, payment, etc. They offered us a bunch of flowers as a peace offering. As an apology, I offered a gift to the hostess.

offer something up (to someone or something)

to give something to someone or something as a mark of devotion, thanks, etc. We offered our gratitude up to the ruler. We offered up our gratitude to the queen.

See also: up

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hold out/offer an olive branch

to do or say something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement with someone

Usage notes: An olive branch is traditionally a symbol of peace.

(often + to ) He held out an olive branch to the opposition by releasing 42 political prisoners.

See also: branch, hold, olive, out