The phrase "hand over fist" is used to describe something that is rapidly increasing or happening very quickly, often in the context of earning or making money. Here's a breakdown of how to use it, incorporating examples from the provided reference:
Understanding the Meaning
"Hand over fist" implies a rapid and substantial increase. It suggests a swift accumulation, particularly of wealth or profit. The phrase evokes an image of someone grabbing or receiving something quickly and repeatedly, like gathering something with both hands, one after the other, at a fast pace.
Examples in Sentences
Here are examples of how to use "hand over fist" in a sentence, drawing from the provided text:
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| "They are increasing in numbers, and the expense is going up hand over fist." | This example illustrates a rapid increase in expenses, suggesting costs are escalating very quickly. |
| "It pays off for them hand over fist in the global market." | Here, "hand over fist" indicates that the company is earning substantial profits at a rapid rate. |
| "But it has made money hand over fist." | This shows that the entity has gained money quickly and in large quantities. |
| "During those years the farmers made money hand over fist; they made enormous profits." | This clearly shows the rapid and considerable profit the farmers were making. |
Key Usage Points
- Focus on Rapid Increase: "Hand over fist" is always about a fast and notable growth or accumulation.
- Common with Money: It is frequently used in the context of finances, referring to fast profit-making.
- Not Literal: It is an idiomatic expression, not a literal action.
Practical Application
- Business: Companies might use it to describe rapid sales growth or profit margins.
- Finance: Investors could refer to fast returns on investments as "making money hand over fist."
- Everyday Speech: You could also use it in a more general context to describe any quick and significant increase, though finance-related contexts are common.
By understanding these examples, you can effectively use "hand over fist" to describe rapid increases, especially in financial contexts.
