lift/raise a hand against somebody
(redirected from lift a hand against somebody)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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 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]
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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017