What's the meaning of “I could use another hand”?
Here are the conversation (a quote from The Marvelous Mrs.Masel)
The two characters are preparing for a car to travel, and A is clearing up the backseat of the car.
A: This car is unkempt, to say the least.
B: Hey, lady, I could use another hand.
A: I have to make sure nothing back here gets crushed and wrinkled.
What's the meaning of "I could use another hand"?
meaning
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
add a comment |
Here are the conversation (a quote from The Marvelous Mrs.Masel)
The two characters are preparing for a car to travel, and A is clearing up the backseat of the car.
A: This car is unkempt, to say the least.
B: Hey, lady, I could use another hand.
A: I have to make sure nothing back here gets crushed and wrinkled.
What's the meaning of "I could use another hand"?
meaning
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
Please identify the speakers by name, and their relationship.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:47
They are preparing to take a trip by car.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:49
add a comment |
Here are the conversation (a quote from The Marvelous Mrs.Masel)
The two characters are preparing for a car to travel, and A is clearing up the backseat of the car.
A: This car is unkempt, to say the least.
B: Hey, lady, I could use another hand.
A: I have to make sure nothing back here gets crushed and wrinkled.
What's the meaning of "I could use another hand"?
meaning
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
Here are the conversation (a quote from The Marvelous Mrs.Masel)
The two characters are preparing for a car to travel, and A is clearing up the backseat of the car.
A: This car is unkempt, to say the least.
B: Hey, lady, I could use another hand.
A: I have to make sure nothing back here gets crushed and wrinkled.
What's the meaning of "I could use another hand"?
meaning
meaning
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
asked Dec 15 '18 at 8:05
scarlettscarlett
567414
567414
Please identify the speakers by name, and their relationship.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:47
They are preparing to take a trip by car.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:49
add a comment |
Please identify the speakers by name, and their relationship.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:47
They are preparing to take a trip by car.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:49
Please identify the speakers by name, and their relationship.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:47
Please identify the speakers by name, and their relationship.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:47
They are preparing to take a trip by car.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:49
They are preparing to take a trip by car.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:49
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
When someone asks for a "hand", they are asking for assistance:
hand
8a : assistance or aid especially involving physical effort
// lend a hand
(M-W)
"Another hand" is a variation. It could also suggest that there is already someone helping and the speaker is asking for an additional person to help.
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
add a comment |
In conversational America usage "I could use" can mean "I could readily find a use for". A is complaining that the car is in a messy state, and B is saying (in effect) "I only have two hands; I might be able to tidy up the car, as well as all the things I already do, if I had an extra hand (and arm, of course)." B is employing sarcasm ("Hey, lady" suggests this) to imply that A is criticising unfairly or is not doing her fair share of the tasks that arise. In Britain, certainly, a response to a remark like "The house is untidy" could be "I only have one pair of hands!".
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
When someone asks for a "hand", they are asking for assistance:
hand
8a : assistance or aid especially involving physical effort
// lend a hand
(M-W)
"Another hand" is a variation. It could also suggest that there is already someone helping and the speaker is asking for an additional person to help.
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
add a comment |
When someone asks for a "hand", they are asking for assistance:
hand
8a : assistance or aid especially involving physical effort
// lend a hand
(M-W)
"Another hand" is a variation. It could also suggest that there is already someone helping and the speaker is asking for an additional person to help.
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
add a comment |
When someone asks for a "hand", they are asking for assistance:
hand
8a : assistance or aid especially involving physical effort
// lend a hand
(M-W)
"Another hand" is a variation. It could also suggest that there is already someone helping and the speaker is asking for an additional person to help.
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
When someone asks for a "hand", they are asking for assistance:
hand
8a : assistance or aid especially involving physical effort
// lend a hand
(M-W)
"Another hand" is a variation. It could also suggest that there is already someone helping and the speaker is asking for an additional person to help.
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
answered Dec 15 '18 at 8:16
Em.♦Em.
38.3k10114128
38.3k10114128
add a comment |
add a comment |
In conversational America usage "I could use" can mean "I could readily find a use for". A is complaining that the car is in a messy state, and B is saying (in effect) "I only have two hands; I might be able to tidy up the car, as well as all the things I already do, if I had an extra hand (and arm, of course)." B is employing sarcasm ("Hey, lady" suggests this) to imply that A is criticising unfairly or is not doing her fair share of the tasks that arise. In Britain, certainly, a response to a remark like "The house is untidy" could be "I only have one pair of hands!".
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
add a comment |
In conversational America usage "I could use" can mean "I could readily find a use for". A is complaining that the car is in a messy state, and B is saying (in effect) "I only have two hands; I might be able to tidy up the car, as well as all the things I already do, if I had an extra hand (and arm, of course)." B is employing sarcasm ("Hey, lady" suggests this) to imply that A is criticising unfairly or is not doing her fair share of the tasks that arise. In Britain, certainly, a response to a remark like "The house is untidy" could be "I only have one pair of hands!".
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
add a comment |
In conversational America usage "I could use" can mean "I could readily find a use for". A is complaining that the car is in a messy state, and B is saying (in effect) "I only have two hands; I might be able to tidy up the car, as well as all the things I already do, if I had an extra hand (and arm, of course)." B is employing sarcasm ("Hey, lady" suggests this) to imply that A is criticising unfairly or is not doing her fair share of the tasks that arise. In Britain, certainly, a response to a remark like "The house is untidy" could be "I only have one pair of hands!".
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
In conversational America usage "I could use" can mean "I could readily find a use for". A is complaining that the car is in a messy state, and B is saying (in effect) "I only have two hands; I might be able to tidy up the car, as well as all the things I already do, if I had an extra hand (and arm, of course)." B is employing sarcasm ("Hey, lady" suggests this) to imply that A is criticising unfairly or is not doing her fair share of the tasks that arise. In Britain, certainly, a response to a remark like "The house is untidy" could be "I only have one pair of hands!".
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
edited Dec 15 '18 at 19:17
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
answered Dec 15 '18 at 13:13
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
15.9k11833
15.9k11833
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Please identify the speakers by name, and their relationship.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:47
They are preparing to take a trip by car.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Dec 15 '18 at 12:49