Hands off Meaning in English
expression
ˈhændz/, /ˈhænz/ /ˈɔf
HANDZ-awf
hˈændz/ /ˈɒf
HANDZ-of
Definition
Used to tell someone not to touch something, or to instruct someone not to interfere or get involved.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often used as a warning ('Hands off my stuff!') or about topics/policies ('a hands-off approach'). Can express no physical touching or no involvement. Not literal—rarely about actual hands.
Spanish: ¡manos fuera! - ¡no toques! - mantenerse al margenPortuguese (BR): mãos fora! - não mexa! - não se envolvaPortuguese (PT): mãos fora! - não mexas! - mantém-te afastadoChinese (Simplified): 别碰！- 不干涉 - 放手Chinese (Traditional): 別碰！- 不干涉 - 放手Hindi: हाथ मत लगाना! - हस्तक्षेप मत करोArabic: ابتعد! - لا تتدخلBengali: হাত লাগাবেন না - হস্তক্ষেপ করবেন নাRussian: не вмешивайся - не трогайJapanese: 手を出さないで - 関与しないでVietnamese: không can dự - đừng động vàoKorean: 손대지 마 - 관여하지 마Turkish: dokunma - karışmaUrdu: ہاتھ مت لگاؤ - مداخلت نہ کروIndonesian: jangan campur tangan - jangan sentuh
Example Sentences
Hands off my phone!
basic
The teacher said, 'Hands off the models.'
basic
This is my cake, hands off!
basic
My parents take a hands-off approach to my homework—they let me do it myself.
natural
Hey, hands off! Those cookies are for later.
natural
The government takes a hands-off stance on small businesses.
natural