Phrase guide

eat out of someone's hand

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To behave in a docile, submissive way towards someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

An allusion to the manner in which a tame animal can be fed.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: manger dans la main — to be submissive due to fascination
  • Hungarian: a tenyeréből eszik — to be submissive due to fascination
  • Polish: być pod totalną kontrolą — to be submissive due to fascination
  • Portuguese: comer nas mãos de alguém — to be submissive due to fascination