fill one's hand: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Generalliteral
  • To place or grasp an object in one or both hands so that the hand is occupied.

  Examples

  Beta

  • She filled her hand with a bunch of papers before heading into the meeting room.

    She grasped a bunch of papers in her hand before heading into the meeting room.

  • The cashier filled his hands with the shopping bags and struggled to open the door.

    The cashier grasped the shopping bags in his hands and struggled to open the door.

  • I filled my hand with tools and walked over to fix the broken chair.

    I grasped tools in my hand and walked over to fix the broken chair.

  • He filled both of his hands with groceries and tried not to drop anything on the way home.

    He grasped groceries in both hands and tried not to drop anything on the way home.

• 2.

  United Statesidiomatichistorical
  • To draw a handgun or otherwise arm oneself, especially in preparation for an armed confrontation.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Before the confrontation, the detective filled his hand with his service pistol just in case things got dangerous.

    Before the confrontation, the detective drew his handgun in preparation for danger.

  • If you suspect trouble, it’s best to fill your hand and be ready to defend yourself.

    If you suspect trouble, it’s best to arm yourself with a handgun and be ready to defend yourself.

  • He was seen filling his hand with a weapon before entering the abandoned building.

    He was seen drawing a handgun before entering the abandoned building.