What does “They are hand and glove.” mean?

"They are hand and glove" means they are very close to each other, and they frequently collaborate or work together. They have a strong bond and work together seamlessly.

What context can I use the in?

Example

In the world of crime, the detective and the informant are hand and glove. They rely on each other to solve cases.

Example

The chef and the sous chef are hand and glove. They work together in perfect harmony to create culinary masterpieces.

Example

The two musicians are hand and glove. They have been playing together for years and can anticipate each other's every move on stage

Is “They are hand and glove.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“They are hand and glove.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “They are hand and glove.” effectively in context?

You can use "They are hand and glove" to describe two people who are very close to each other, frequently collaborate or work together, and have a strong bond. It emphasizes the seamless nature of their partnership. For instance, if you see two colleagues who always work together and complement each other's strengths, you might say, 'Those two are hand and glove.'

1Friendship
Sarah and Emily have been best friends since childhood. They are hand and glove, always supporting each other and sharing everything.
2Business
The marketing and sales teams are hand and glove. They work closely together to develop effective strategies and achieve their targets.
3Sports
The goalkeeper and the defender are hand and glove. They have a strong understanding and coordination on the field, making it difficult for opponents to score.

Similar phrases to “They are hand and glove.”:

Inseparable

Unable to be separated; always together

Example

The two sisters are inseparable. They do everything together.

Two peas in a pod

Two people who are very similar or always together

Example

John and Mark are like two peas in a pod. They have the same interests and are always seen together.

Joined at the hip

Very close or always together

Example

The twins are joined at the hip. They do everything together and are rarely apart.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “They are hand and glove.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "They are hand and glove" is unknown.

Is “They are hand and glove.” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "They are hand and glove" is a common proverb used in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe close relationships or partnerships, both in personal and professional contexts.

What tone does “They are hand and glove.” have?

"They are hand and glove" conveys a tone of closeness and collaboration. It highlights the strength of the bond between two individuals and their ability to work together seamlessly.

Can “They are hand and glove.” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "They are hand and glove" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile phrase that describes a strong partnership or collaboration. You can use it in casual conversations with friends or colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations or business meetings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Sarah and Emily are hand and glove, always supporting each other.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'They are "hand and glove"!' to imply a close partnership.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

on the same wavelength
close-knit
in sync
in harmony
like a well-oiled machine