Hand over fist

Definitions

• Making money quickly or in large amounts
  Describing a situation where someone is earning money rapidly and effortlessly, often through a lucrative business or investment venture

• Spending money quickly or in large amounts
  Describing a situation where someone is spending money recklessly or without regard for their financial well-being, often resulting in a depletion of their wealth

• Gaining or losing something quickly or in large amounts
  Describing a situation where someone is acquiring or losing something rapidly and abundantly, such as power, influence, or possessions

Examples of Hand over fist

• John's stocks have risen hand over fist since he invested in that small tech company.

  This is an example of using the idiom in a financial context to describe rapid and significant growth or profits. "Hand over fist" implies that the profits are increasing rapidly, almost as if someone were grabbing the profits and throwing them over their fist repeatedly.

• The pop star's fanbase has grown hand over fist since she began collaborating with other musicians.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe a rapid increase in popularity or fan base. The phrase "hand over fist" emphasizes that the growth is happening at a fast pace.

• The new product has been selling hand over fist, with demand exceeding our wildest expectations.

  Similar to the previous examples, "hand over fist" is used to describe the fast rate of sales. It suggests that the sales are increasing dramatically and rapidly, almost as if someone is grabbing the sales and throwing them over their fist repeatedly.

• After the company merged with its rival, profits skyrocketed hand over fist, exceeding even the most optimistic projections.

  In this example, the idiom is used to describe a significant increase in profits. "Hand over fist" underscores the speed and magnitude of the rise in profits.

• The company's profits have been increasing hand over fist since the start of the year.

  This means that the profits are growing rapidly and quickly, almost like grabbing fistfuls of money at a time.

• With a successful advertising campaign and an eager customer base, the new product was selling hand over fist.

  This indicates that the product was experiencing overwhelming and speedy sales, just as if large amounts of money were being literally handed over.

• After the news of the promotion, her stocks soared hand over fist in the stock market.

  This shows that her stocks were increasing in value at a fast pace, similar to the cash being grabbed and given over by hand.

• As the team worked diligently, the research findings started to come in hand over fist.

  Here, the phrase implies that the research results were being discovered rapidly and in large quantities, much like money being quickly and repeatedly handed over.

Conclusion

The idiom "hand over fist" is typically used to describe a situation involving a large and rapid accumulation or depletion of something, whether it be money, possessions, or power. It conveys a sense of speed and ease in the acquisition or loss of something, often implying a lack of effort or thought put into the process.

This idiom can be used in both a positive and negative context. In a positive sense, it can be used to describe someone who is making a lot of money or gaining a lot of success quickly and easily. However, it can also be used in a negative sense, to describe someone who is losing money or power rapidly and carelessly.

Origin of "Hand over fist"

The origin of the idiom "hand over fist" is uncertain, but it is thought to have originated in the 19th century. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the nautical term "hand over hand," which refers to the process of pulling on a rope hand over hand to quickly raise a sail. Over time, this phrase may have evolved into "hand over fist" to describe a rapid and effortless movement.

Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the game of poker, where players would bet by placing their hand over their fist to conceal the size of their bet. If someone was winning a lot of money, they would be consistently placing their hand over their fist, hence the phrase "hand over fist" came to be associated with making money quickly.

Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "hand over fist" has become a popular expression in the English language, conveying a sense of rapid and effortless gain or loss.