hand over hand

adverb

: by grasping with the hands moving alternately one before or above the other
climb a rope hand over hand
haul in a line hand over hand

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand over hand was in 1736

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Dictionary Entries Near hand over hand

Cite this Entry

“Hand over hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand%20over%20hand. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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