Keep your hand in
phrase
To continue with a skill or activity regularly so that you do not lose the ability to do it even if you don't do it completely.
Even though I quit competitive swimming, I still swim regularly in my free time to keep my hand in.
Often appears as...
- keep my hand in
- keep your hand in
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To continue with a skill or activity regularly so that you do not lose the ability to do it even if you don't do it completely.
Even though I quit competitive swimming, I still swim regularly in my free time to keep my hand in.
Often appears as...
- keep my hand in
- keep your hand in
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Activity Continuity
Use it when expressing the idea of continually practicing to retain skill in a less intense way.
She retired but keeps her hand in teaching by giving occasional lectures.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Full-time
Implies involvement is sporadic or part-time, not a full-time commitment to the activity.
After selling his bakery, Joe still keeps his hand in by baking at home.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Usage
Recognize that it's a figure of speech, so the 'hand' is not always literal.
I keep my hand in web design by doing small projects.
Pro Tip 1/3Activity Continuity
Use it when expressing the idea of continually practicing to retain skill in a less intense way.
She retired but keeps her hand in teaching by giving occasional lectures.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Full-time
Implies involvement is sporadic or part-time, not a full-time commitment to the activity.
After selling his bakery, Joe still keeps his hand in by baking at home.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Usage
Recognize that it's a figure of speech, so the 'hand' is not always literal.
I keep my hand in web design by doing small projects.
Pro Tip 1/3Activity Continuity
Use it when expressing the idea of continually practicing to retain skill in a less intense way.
She retired but keeps her hand in teaching by giving occasional lectures.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Full-time
Implies involvement is sporadic or part-time, not a full-time commitment to the activity.
After selling his bakery, Joe still keeps his hand in by baking at home.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Usage
Recognize that it's a figure of speech, so the 'hand' is not always literal.
I keep my hand in web design by doing small projects.
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