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Wring one’s hands vs Wring someone’s hand

wring one’s hands

1. squeeze one’s hands together to express despair, sorrow, etc.:

  • His face was pale, and he stared at his feet while wringing his hands nervously.

2. be very worried or upset about smth.:

  • Our President is all day in security sessions, briefings, debriefings, staying up all night wringing his hands over this whole mess.

wring someone’s hand—shake hands with a person showing more emotion than in the usual handshake:

  • He shook hands with Tom, wringing his hand harder than he knew.