Synonyms for hands down

Grammar : Adv

Spell : handz-doun

Phonetic Transcription : ˈhændzˈdaʊn

Définition of hands down

Origin : Old English hond, hand "hand; side; power, control, possession," from Proto-Germanic *khanduz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch, German hand, Old Norse hönd, Gothic handus). The original Old English plural handa was superseded in Middle English by handen, later hands.
Meaning "person who does something with his hands" is from 1580s, hence "hired workman" (1630s) and "sailor in a ship's crew" (1660s). Clock and watch sense is from 1570s. Meaning "round of applause" is from 1838. The linear measure of 4 inches (originally 3) is from 1560s, now used only in giving the height of horses. The meaning "playing cards held in one player's hand" is from 1620s; that of "a round at a card game" is from 1620s.
First hand, second hand, etc. (mid-15c.) are from the notion of something being passed down from hand to hand. Out of hand (1590s) is opposite of in hand "under control" (c.1200). Hand over fist (1825) is suggestive of sailors and fishermen hauling in nets. Hand jive is from 1958. To win something hands down (1855) is from horse racing, from a jockey's gesture of letting the reins go loose in an easy victory.
The Two Thousand Guinea Stakes was not the best contested one that it has been our fortune to assist at. ... [T]hey were won by Meteor, with Scott for his rider; who went by the post with his hands down, the easiest of all easy half-lengths. Wiseacre certainly did the best in his power to spoil his position, and Misdeal was at one time a little vexatious. ["The Sportsman," report from April 26, 1840]
To hand it to (someone) "acknowledge someone's ability" is slang from c.1906. Phrase on the one hand ... on the other hand is recorded from 1630s, a figurative use of the physical sense of hand in reference to position on one side or the other side of the body (as in the lefthand side), which goes back to Old English Hands up! as a command from a policeman, robber, etc., is from 1873. Hand-to-mouth is from c.1500. Hand-in-hand attested from c.1500 as "with hands clasped;" figurative sense of "concurrently" recorded from 1570s.

adv with no difficulty

Example sentences :

I was just going down to the Oriental, but your dug-out wins me hands down.
Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson

Easy there, partner; don't take both them hands down at once.
Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

A second later he peered back in and lowered his hands down.
Extract from : « The Affair of the Brains » by Anthony Gilmore

He put her hands down firmly and again made as if to pass by her.
Extract from : « An Outcast of the Islands » by Joseph Conrad

Hands down, without a struggle, the Paliser estate was rooked.
Extract from : « The Paliser case » by Edgar Saltus

Now then, bring your hands down slow, and keep 'em close together.
Extract from : « From Place to Place » by Irvin S. Cobb

All had their hands down but one, whose arms were up over his head.
Extract from : « The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour » by George A. Warren

He turned around to her, and reached his hands down through the dusk.
Extract from : « The Coast of Chance » by Esther Chamberlain

But it's apt to catch the rest of the force with their hands down and their mouths open.
Extract from : « Torchy As A Pa » by Sewell Ford

Five millions in cash will meet it and we'll win, hands down.
Extract from : « The Root of Evil » by Thomas Dixon

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019